Chef JB Balingit of Tropa Featured at Special Kulinarya Live! for the Filipino Food Month 2026
Chef JB Balingit with Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon and Ms. Keesa Ocampo sampling the signature dishes, arroz valenciana and kilawin prepared during Kulinarya Live! hosted by the Filipino Food Movement (San Francisco PCG photo)
LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – In celebration of Filipino Food Month in April, the Filipino Food Movement in San Francisco held its online program Kulinarya Live! for the first time this year, featuring Chef JB Balingit, owner and chef of Tropa in Lafayette.
Kulinarya Live! is a streaming series presented on the Filipino Food Movement’s Facebook and Instagram platforms. The program highlights Filipino and Filipino American chefs as they share their passion for Filipino cuisine while preparing both traditional and modern Filipino dishes.
Chef JB Balingit shared that through his new restaurant Tropa, which opened in August 2025, he was able to reconnect with his Filipino roots and culinary influences, adding a deeper dimension to his culinary journey. During the cooking demonstration, Chef JB prepared his signature dishes—arroz valenciana and kilawin—showcasing his distinct cooking style and flair in Filipino cuisine.
Hosted by Ms. Keesa Ocampo, the livestream was joined by Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon, taking the opportunity to introduce himself to the community. He also shared the various initiatives and activities undertaken by the Philippine Consulate and expressed his openness to learning more about and collaborating closely with the Filipino community within the Consulate’s jurisdiction. This year’s Filipino Food Month theme, “Connected by Taste: The Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN,” highlights the shared culinary heritage and cultural connections between Filipino cuisine and the diverse flavors of Southeast Asia.END
Chef JB starts his cooking demonstration explaining the steps and ingredients in the process (San Francisco PCG photo)
Kitchen setup and colorful ingredients ready for the arroz valenciana and kilawin for the Kulinarya Live! with Chef JB Balingit of Tropa (San Francisco PCG photo)
Tangy, spicy, and flavorful kilawin prepared during Kulinarya Live! (San Francisco PCG photo)