IV
FRENCH INFLUENCES IN THE 1898 MALOLOS BANQUET
French influences are very much evident in the 29 September 1898
Malolos Banquet which celebrated the ratification of the Declaration of Philippine Independence by the representatives of the Malolos Congress.
About two hundred guests were sent invitations to the banquet by La Comisión de festejos del Gobierno Filipino (the Commission on Festivities of the Philippine Government) to what would be a veritable feast of French cuisine. Guests were invited to attend both the lunch and dinner. Designed by Arcadio Arellano, the menu card presented to the guests is shaped as a Philippine flag when folded and had the Spanish phrase “Solemn Ratification of the Philippine Independence” printed on its cover. The surviving copy of the Malolos Menu, found in the collection of the Museo de Oro at Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro,40 is small enough to fit in the palm of the hand.
Figure 208. Invitation card to the 29 September 1898 Malolos Banquet issued by the Commission on Festivities of the Philippine Government. The invitation was issued on 26 September 1898. (Retrato Collection of the Filipinas Heritage Library) 326
DISCOV _INT PP 050719.indd 338
5/7/19 8:54:43 PM
