"In Thailand, India, Malaysia, Japan - in fact, in almost every country in Asia - there is a distinctive, internationally acclaimed cuisine.
The Philippines though, is a rare exception. While Filipinos love their food, few foreigners have tasted or even heard of the country's signature dishes like abobo, sinigang, lumpia and pancit.
It is a situation that chef Rolando Laudico is desperate to change.
"Philippine food is as rich and varied as other Asian cuisine - even more so," he says confidently, as he sits by the window of his chic restaurant in the heart of Fort Bonifacio, Manila's new business district.
With his long hair and personally-designed outfit, Mr Laudico is one of a new generation of chefs determined to bring Philippine food to a wider audience."
"He and his wife, Jackie, run Bistro Filipino, a restaurant that serves a modern take on the national cuisine.
"We base our flavours on traditional Philippine flavours, and we get inspired by them. We innovate, we do our own style, and we make it accessible for foreigners," he says.
He is especially proud of his version of lumpia - a spring roll made with coconut palm. It is usually seen as a starter or street food, but the Laudicos have reduced the amount of oil and turned the roll into a cone."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19541960
