Phnom Penh, 24 April 2025 - On the occasion of Filipino Food Month, a group of uninitiated Khmer guests were treated to a kamayan feast on 23 April 2025 at the official residence of Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo in Phnom Penh.

Dubbed KaiNham-Nham!, the event introduced the Filipino communal dining tradition popularly known as “boodle fight” to friends of the Philippines from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC Cam), and Courtyard by Marriott. A play on the Filipino and Khmer words for “eat”, the Embassy’s KaiNham-Nham! presented a delectable smorgasbord of adobo, grilled chicken, pampano, shrimps, and squid as well as fruits and Cambodian rice all laid on banana leaves. Guests paired the food with gulaman at sago and finished the hearty meal with the iconic Filipino dessert called halo-halo.

Dinner conversation explored the native values of bayanihan (sense of community), sama-sama (unity), and pakikisama (camaraderie) underlying a salo-salo (get-together). Filipino values give this unique dining experience its very flavor. For many Filipinos overseas, kamayan feasts also call to mind casual Sunday lunches with our extended families, beach trips during summer vacation, and laughter over corny jokes around the dining table,” Ambassador Mayo explained.

Rounding out the evening, Filipino community members Ms. Myra Bangad and Mr. Antonio Elchico played Filipino classic pieces on the bandurria and guitar.

The Philippine Embassy joins the national celebration of Filipino Food Month with a deep sense of pride in the country’s culinary heritage. END