MANILA, Philippines – Delicious 100% Halal food is being offered round-the-clock for the SEA Games participants set at the main dining hall at the Athlete’s Village situated at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. This earned praise online, with netizens saying that this is something that should be widely reported by the media.
There has been a lot of problems and controversies surrounding the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games 2019 (SEA Games), with many related to food and
accommodations. But while there were issues raised by coaches, athletes, and volunteers alike, there are also a lot of things that Pinoys can be proud of with this hosting stint.
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| Photo by Athletes’ Village Mayor Arrey Perez / Sports Desk - Facebook |
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| Photo by Athletes’ Village Mayor Arrey Perez / Sports Desk - Facebook |
There were reports of athletes and volunteers receiving too little food, with very few varieties or less nutritious options like the
controversial ‘kikiam’ breakfast meal at a hotel. But the ones dining at the Athlete’s Village are in for a treat, with the food supervised by catering coordinator Datu Shaiffudin Kiram.
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The 100% Halal food menu is especially created for athletes and coaches from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei.
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| Photo by Athletes’ Village Mayor Arrey Perez / Sports Desk - Facebook |
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| Photo by Athletes’ Village Mayor Arrey Perez / Sports Desk - Facebook |
“The main dining hall for Athlete’s Village is 100% halal… So we’re gonna have a soup station with bread, we have fresh fruits… we have desserts as well. There’s gonna be about seven choices of ‘ulams’ that they can get or main dishes,” explained head chef Bruce Lim.
“Everyone wants carbs so we have to doublecheck with the nutritionist as well from every team if they want complex carbs or regular carbs. That’s why we’re working very hard with every nutritionist from every country to tell us the dietary needs of the athlete.”
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Photo by Athletes’ Village Mayor Arrey Perez / Sports Desk - Facebook
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| Photo by Athletes’ Village Mayor Arrey Perez / Sports Desk - Facebook |
Not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy such delicious foods from this venue, but those who are assigned in this area were certainly impressed. This particularly holds true for Muslim athletes who appreciate the Halal food. However, non-Halal food is also available.
“We were surprised and happy in the Athletes Village because the building is in the mountain so we can get the fresh air… The food is very enough,” said Sim Chantha, a delegate from Cambodia.
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| Photos by Josephine Mendoza Concepcion / Facebook |
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| Photos by Josephine Mendoza Concepcion / Facebook |
Others echo the sentiment, saying that they greatly appreciated the delicious food served there.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
