Manila, Philippines – A mother tells her son not to take too much food and to only take small portions as they are at the Khalsa Diwan Temple in Manila. The mother and son are part of the Sikh community in Metro Manila celebrating the Parkash Utsav of Guru Granth Sahib, a significant event in Sikhism.
The Khalsa Diwan Temple, founded in 1929, is Manila’s oldest gurdwara and has played a significant role in the growth of the Sikh community in the Philippines. Many Punjabi migrants, who make up a vast majority of the Indian diaspora in the country, arrived in the 1920s and began engaging in small-scale businesses, including moneylending.
The moneylending community, while largely operating on the fringes of the law, has become an integral part of the informal economy in the Philippines. The Khalsa Diwan Temple, however, serves as an anchor for the Sikh community, where members come together to organize community kitchen activities, among other services.
The temple’s head, Vikram Seetak, oversees a team of cooks who prepare traditional Indian meals, including vegetarian dishes, with the fresh produce donated by the community.
The Indian food culture in the Philippines is evolving, as some members like Jagjit Singh, identify as Indian Filipinos and enjoy a mix of both Indian and Filipino food at home. Additionally, some Sikh members, like Manor Singh and his wife, adhere to strict vegetarianism, while others, like Shomkor, enjoy a wide variety of food.
Despite the evolving food culture, the Khalsa Diwan Temple remains a central place for the Sikh community to come together to celebrate, serve, and connect with their culture and traditions.