What decorations should I have for a Filipino dining night?

Question

I'm hosting a dining night at my college to present Filipino food and dining culture to my fellow students. What sort of decorations, linens, etc. would you suggest for the tabletops, entranceway, and walls? I was thinking going with the blue, white, and red from the flag for the table linens with gold accents (maybe napkins). What do you think?

Answer 1

I am trying to think something specifically Filipino as part of the dinning experience.

When I visited friends in the Phils, where I stayed in farms, houses that belonged the nephew of a former president etc, there was nothing special. My friend's father had a beautiful collection of asian furniture and antiques from all over Asia with a big emphasis on both local of international wood carving.

Most people who visit the Phils go to the islands. So you are talking south east asian beach huts, cane mats and so on. Especially a good one is to use banana leaves as plates. (Though you could go with Banana leaf table settings, and use plates).

So hang some bunches of bananas around, make it tropical.

I hope that this helps.

Answer 2

This is what i think.

Since i am a filipino i would say:   Have a entrance with a filipino flag.. and well have like the blue,red, and white napkins and have banners or print outs that say something like: Filipino Spirit!!!!!!!!!!!

Have fun with it!!

Answer 3

Put up fiesta buntings. String up paper triangles in yellow, red, green and orange and hang them from the ceiling. You can also run japanese paper in the same colors into a paper shredder and put mounds of these as table center pieces and then nestle fresh tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples and mangoes in them. (Make sure the fruits are dry since the japanese color paper will stain them.)

If you have banana leaves, you can use these as table runners too. Lightly run the leaves on the stove so that they will soften and render some of their oils. You can also eat directly on these instead of paper plates. Just remove the center rib, cut them up into large squares and soften them on the stove or a hot iron.

Answer 4

I think its a great idea to show the National Colours. Incorporate some bamboo into the design, some "native" flowers if possible and wear the baro't saya if you can. For the doorways, try to make it look like the arches used in Santacruzan parades - that might look nice and make it have a fiesta-like theme. I also suggest using banana leaves for placemats or to place under food like lechon and also the use of the "bilao" for serving food  like pancit. Don't forget to consult your family for more ideas on how to bring the spirit of the islands into your event. Good Luck with your dining night!