A Christmas table, remembered and remade

From Malabon childhood mornings to four holiday recipes shared by Benilde chefs and alumni, a Noche Buena shaped by memory, seafood, and tradition

- FELICIANO RODRIGUEZ III

Do you remember your Christmas mornings? I remember mine vividly, especially those halcyon days of my youth spent in our home in Malabon, where then, when you woke up early in the morning, air still chilly, you would find last night’s leftover Noche Buena still laid out on the long wooden table of our formal dining room, ready to be picked on for breakfast.

The fine cutlery and vintage bone china would still be there, pieces we only ever brought out for formal occasions and Christmas.