The Integration of Margherita Pizza at Padi’s Point

Just like carbonara and lasagna, pizza will always remain in the hearts of the Filipino gustatory landscape. One may think of Greenwich, Shakey’s, and Domino’s as household names of pizza chains in the country. Although this is the case, Padi’s Point also offers Italian selections like the classic Margherita pizza.

Originating in Naples, Italy, the Margherita pizza was conceptualized for an Italian monarch named Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889. Back in the day, pizzas were regarded by Italians as food items for the marginalized sector. Members of the Italian aristocracy were initially very wary of consuming this recipe on their dinner tables because it was widely tagged as poison. The pre-Margherita pizza typically contained tomatoes, cheese, garlic, and salt—which were affordable to the average Italian household. To the peasant majority in Naples, consuming pizzas right at their kitchens and dining tables was already a relief from starvation, making these a household staple.

A woman highly accustomed to elite, gourmet meals, Queen Margherita outgrew the taste of French cuisine. This scenario, therefore, motivated her to pivot to the diet of her subjects for a change. She and her husband, King Umberto I, strolled around Naples to observe the accustomed practices of their citizens. Both learned about the daily consumption of pizzas or flatbreads among Naples’ majority population. Hence, Queen Margherita tapped Naples baker Raffaele Esposito to craft a pizza recipe dedicated to her. Fortunately, he agreed to take on the culinary assignment by integrating tomatoes (red), basil leaves (green), and mozzarella cheese (white) as a tribute to the Italian flag. Upon presentation before Her Majesty in 1889, she tasted the perfect concoction of these three ingredients into one large circular flatbread and gave it a seal of approval. Due to this, she officially minted the Margherita pizza as a royally endorsed dish, making it a legitimate dish that was void of any intoxication. This prototype paved the way for the succeeding iterations of pizza, like pepperoni, sausage, and Shakey’s Manager’s Choice, to be accepted as edible staples of international food culture.

Padi’s Point, as any Filipino party club attendee knows, serves as one of the country’s prominent names in disco-themed dining. Established in 1992, the renowned bar-themed chain began its operations right at the heartland of the uphill side of Antipolo, Rizal Province. This is courtesy of the competent mind and the vision of Vicente Padilla Jr., which emphasized an avenue for young Filipinos (typically in their 20s and 30s) to hang out with their groups of friends during Friday nights and weekends. Actually, the venue where this photo was taken was at its very first branch, where it was incredibly conducive to viewing the skyline of Metro Manila’s bustling business districts. Diners may carry their cameras and binoculars as a way to enjoy the panoramic views of Ortigas Center and even the Makati Central Business District. Other than sightseeing Manila’s urban areas from a remote distance, they can zoom in their lenses on the fresh green leaves surrounding the narra and coconut trees below this Antipolo branch. From there, they can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Philippine environmental life beyond the horns and smoke pipes of vehicles and the fast-paced walking rhythms of the metro area’s daily commuters.