It was a showing of resilience after a tragedy.

Last 3 December, the Islamic State group bombed a Catholic Mass which claimed four lives at the Mindanao State University gymnasium in Lanao del Sur. Days later, a group of chefs in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, went on to observe the island's annual Week of Peace; paid tribute to the victims and offered a message of hope through their cuisine.

Held at The Alemania Hotel, the Tri-People Cuisine for Interfaith Solidarity celebrated the diversity in Northern Mindanao which comprises of Muslims, lumad and Christians through food.

"I always dedicate my food to everyone to promote peace," says chef Rohaniah Magarang Guro, better known as Leng Rohann. The dishes represented the different faiths. Leng prepared her signature Chicken Pindiyalokan, a Muslim dish of chicken, laced with palapa (a Maranao condiment with ginger, shallots, turmeric, chilies and shredded coconut) and her famous Roasted Pindiyalokan. The Christian cooks offered adobo Iligan while the Higaonon tribe presented grilled seafood on a bamboo.

Accomplished at 42, Leng wears many hats as restaurateur, culinary educator, government worker and president of the Iligan Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants Association.