Prince of Monaco served ‘tinola of gifts’ from PH seas

Menu for the state luncheon for Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Malacañang.

“Tinola of gifts from the Philippine Seas” is just one of the special dishes served during the state luncheon for Prince Albert II of Monaco on Thursday.

Prince Albert, who last visited the Philippines 17 years ago, was welcomed by President Benigno Aquino III at Malacañang for a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference.

READ: Prince Albert of Monaco in Malacañang for bilateral talks with Aquino 


After signing the Philippine-Monaco Framework Agreement for Cooperation, the two leaders addressed the media and joined the other guests at Rizal Hall.

Known for its Filipino fusion cuisine, Malacañang’s kitchen came up with several interesting dishes for the prince, who is known for being an environmentalist.

According to the menu provided to media, Prince Albert and Aquino ate “ensalada of Batangas duck estofado a l’orange,” which was made from Negros chèvre, Sagada orange, muscovado, heirloom carrots, Tagaytay courgette, and Cointreau-Davao cacao vinaigrette.

The prince, who will visit the Tubbataha Reefs this afternoon, would have enjoyed the “Tinola of gifts from the Philippine Sea,” a Philippine-style bouillabaisse containing Bohol white marlin, Bulacan river prawn, Capiz scallop, Quezon blue crab, fish roe duet, French pottage and Bacolod bihod, kasha mayonesa and estragon.

READ: Prince Albert in Manila, on his way to Tubbataha 


The guests also feasted on Blackmore Wagyu short rib inihaw with Bistek Tagalog Jus, organise soy sauce, calamansi onion hay, Philippine chickpea socca, adlai pearls, sigarilyas and kalabasa blossoms.

For dessert, they were treated to halo-halo with the following ingredients: ube haleya, creme caramel, saba, jackfruit, red beans, carabao’s milk, San Miguel pastillas gratinee, Iloilo tablea lava and Pangasinan mango.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Monaco, the second smallest country in the world.

In his toast, Aquino talked about how Monaco’s royal family has “become close friends of the Filipino people.”

“Their visits here were not ones characterized by leisure. They made it a point to make a genuine connection by truly interacting with our people—even visiting areas like Payatas to meet less fortunate children,” he said.

He lauded Monaco for “assisting victims of child abuse and exploitation and funding critical research for various illnesses” through the AMADE or Association Mondiale des Amis de l’Enfance (World Association of Children’s Friends).

He again thanked Prince Albert for the aid sent by their country for the survivors of super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in 2013.

“While your state may not be the largest in the world, you still committed several hundred thousand euros to help those affected; you have helped prevent epidemics and rebuild infrastructure, and I speak on behalf of the Filipino people when I say: We will never forget your kindness,” he said. CDG

READ: Bayan asks Prince Albert of Monaco: Raise farmers’ plight to Aquino