Why Erwan Heussaff likens himself to ‘binakol’ soup
Erwan Heussaff
The thought of being married to a major star can be daunting for “regular guys,” but not for Erwan Heussaff, who is quite accomplished in his field of expertise. So, he isn’t the type who would be relegated to the background as the “husband of Anne Curtis.”
The Filipino-French restaurateur/blogger has been tapped to be the content creator of Buhay Carinderia Redefined, a unique culinary spectacle that will scour the country in search for the best of the best in our culinary scene.
The cool organizer of the annual event, Linda Legaspi, said that Erwan best represents Buhay Carinderia’s advocacy (visit Buhaycarinderia.com). Erwan’s blogsite, thefatkidinside, has been viewed by millions.
But there’s more to Erwan than his popularity online. He has long been an advocate of healthy and affordable eating. His recent crusade, where he came up with a P150/day meal plan, endeared him to Pinoys. The classy Frenchman in Erwan will add a certain je ne sais quoi to the carinderia scene.
Here’s my chat with Erwan:
If you were a Filipino dish, what would you be and why? Probably a binakol soup (Ilonggo chicken dish, cooked inside a bamboo). It’s a combination of simple ingredients that hopefully surprises people.
In what way are you Pinoy, and in what way are you French? I’ve never thought of myself as one or the other. I’ve always seen myself as both together, at the same time. Being half French because of my father’s nationality doesn’t necessarily make me less Filipino, because Filipinos are already so different from each other depending on where they’re from or based.
What my mixed nationality provides me with is perspective—being able to look at both cultures from an unbiased standpoint and appreciate them fully. Being half French only intensifies my Filipino traits and vice versa.
Tell us a bit about the content you’re creating for Buhay Carinderia. I am currently working on four videos—from history and travel to food—covering the very unique place that the carinderia holds in our culinary culture.
If Anne were a Pinoy dish, what would she be and why? A big colorful plate of sapin-sapin, because she is sweet—and she makes me happy.
What’s it like being married to Anne? It has motivated me more to always do my best in everything I do.
From left: Andre Paras, Jackie Forster and Kobe Paras
Jackie’s reunion with Kobe and Andre
Someone privy to Andre and Kobe Paras’ life told me that the brothers are not granting interviews (for the meantime) regarding their reunion with their mom, Jackie Forster, after 12 years. They want to savor their private moments as a family devoid of anything “show biz.” Sometimes, it’s better for celebs to keep personal matters low-key lest it goes off-key.
A ‘Kundiman’ for Julia
My UP comrade Shamaine Buencamino’s critically acclaimed play, “The Kundiman Party,” has been extended. Catch it on May 12 and 13 at Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater in UP Diliman (call 0917-7812489). The matinee show on the 12th is for the benefit of the Julia Buencamino Project for Mental Health Awareness (in loving memory of Shamaine’s daughter, Julia). Forget about YouTube and Spotify. For a change, let’s party the “Kundiman” way.
