Paella Gigante: A giant serving of love for a cause
How do you love your fellowmen?
Sometimes, with a heart as big as 100 kilograms of rice, 15 liters of olive oil, and more than 200 liters of water whipped up into a giant paella for a cause. In fact, the Sociedad Española de Beneficencia, an NGO dedicated to helping indigent elderly Spaniards and Filipinos in the Philippines, is holding a giant paella cookout—Paella Gigante—at the Ayala Triangle Gardens on Saturday, April 25, to raise funds for elderly Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines.
Founded in 1948 by Spanish nationals in the Philippines to assist fellow Spaniards who had lost everything and received no compensation after the devastation caused by both Japanese and American bombings during the Second World War, SEB is now the oldest fully accredited NGO dedicated to improving the well-being and quality of life of indigent elderly Spaniards and Filipinos. The organization provides monthly, quarterly, and annual stipends to institutions that deliver essential services such as general welfare assistance, shelter, counseling, and interment support.
It really was quite a revelation to me that there are several Spanish-Filipinos in the Philippines who are in dire straits—particularly, the elderly among them. Stereotypically, they were regarded as Philippine royalty.
Thus, chefs from leading restaurants and culinary schools across the Philippines, led by Chef Mikel Arrieta of Anya Resort Tagaytay, will come together this Saturday at the Ayala Triangle Gardens to prepare the iconic dish on the spot, starting at 4 p.m. This culinary collaboration will use a massive paellera measuring over 10 feet in diameter, capable of serving up to 1,000 guests.
“Through Paella Gigante, we celebrate our shared Spanish-Filipino heritage while directly supporting our elderly beneficiaries,” says Fernando Gaspar, president of the board of trustees of SEB. “Every P1,000-ticket donation will help us expand our programs and extend dignity and care to more seniors in need. We invite families and friends to spend an afternoon enjoying good food for a great cause.”
SEB’s main beneficiary homes are the Santa Maria Josef Home for the Aged (Maytubig, Malate) and The Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly.
The Santa Maria Josef Home for the Aged, opened in 2010, is owned and managed by the Religious Sisters of the Servants of Jesus of Charity (Siervas de Jesús), an order known for its specialization in geriatric care.
The Al Hogar San Joaquin in Malate, formerly known as El Hogar de San Joaquín, was SEB’s first home. Its origins can be traced to the geriatric wing of the former Hospital de Santiago, regarded as one of Manila’s finest hospitals in the ‘30s.
The Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly, also Little Sisters of the Elderly, known as Hermanitas, operates a center that exclusively cares for indigent Filipinas, many of whom were rescued from the streets. The institution relies primarily on donations from private individuals as well as public and private organizations. SEB provides quarterly support to help cover food and other daily expenses for its elderly residents.
Culture, cuisine, charity
SEB has played a pivotal role in preserving the foundation’s enduring legacy. The SEB current board includes Fernando Gaspar, president; Ina Gemperle, vice president; Santi Picornell, treasurer; and trustees JJ Berenguer-Testa, Frankie Eizmendi, Javier Escat, Pablo Garcia Morera, Jose Mari Moraza, and Nena Ortoll.
Paella Gigante, SEB’s flagship fundraising event, was first launched in 2012. Organized in collaboration with the LTB Philippines Chefs Association and other partner institutions, Paella Gigante has become a highly anticipated annual event. LTB Philippines is the premier chefs association in the Philippines and a member of the World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs).
Paella Gigante returns this Saturday in conjunction with El Dia del Libro of Instituto Cervantes, celebrating a full Spanish Day of community, culture, cuisine, and charity.
Participating are 28 chefs and 18 student chefs from Lyceum of the Philippines University (Manila and Laguna), and the University of Sto. Tomas. These include Chef David Amoros of El Born, Cyrille Soenen of Le Cordon Bleu, Mikel Arriet of Anya, Fernando Aracama, and Sito Senn.
SEB vice president Ina Gemperle, my classmate at the Assumption Convent, joined the board in 2021. She lived in Spain for 20 years before returning to the Philippines, and now still spends four months a year in Spain.
“I love the sentido de alegria (sense of joy) of the Spaniards. They are happy people, they don’t need much to be happy,” says Ina.
This sense of joy is a feeling Paella Gigante wants to serve in heaps, to make the donors happy, and to make the beneficiaries, even happier.
How to get tickets: Send e-mail to sebpaellagigante26@gmail.com with proof of payment or contact 0917-1795819. You can also deposit to BPI 3391 0070 54 or send payment through GCash 0917-1795819. Walk-ins are also welcome. Call Chaco Molina at 0917-5256627.
