For many generations, my family never had to buy salt. Like almost everyone in our barrio, Pulanglupa, we were given free salt for our household needs by neighbors who owned the hundreds of salt beds, which were landmarks as famous as our town’s bamboo organ. Well, not exactly free. We had to...
Image from FREEPIK Public markets have always been my favorite destination whenever I travel. They pulsate with life, always mirroring the triumphs and struggles of the village or town. The fruits and vegetables proudly displayed and peddled reflect the town’s geography, history, and experience...
Dinengdeng (Photo Maggi Ph website) November 1985 to March 1986 was a good period to be in the news business. And the best place to be at was the Philippines. All the big stars of American, British, Japanese, and Australian networks rushed to Manila to file stories on what most of them...
The most challenging facet of life as a fulltime foreign correspondent was feeding five kids and a husband with meals that they had grown to expect. After all, as a food writer, I am supposed to know what I write about, yes? Here is something I learned from many chefs: They all have shortcuts that...
CRAVING FOR CRAB? Certain species of crab, like those with crosses, are offered at a lower price due to superstitious beliefs Today’s young adults, like many of their parents, are familiar with only a few fish—bangus, tilapia, galunggong, dilis, and tuna. Their knowledge of shellfish is even...
A staple offering at food joints inside cockpits in many parts of the Philippines is “Soup Number Five,” which is more popularly known in Cavite as “Bat and Balls” after its main ingredients—a bull’s penis and testicles. The dish is very popular among the mostly male cockfight regulars,...
FILIPINO BREAKFAST STAPLE No Filipino breakfast is complete without hot, fresh pandesal Every barrio in the Philippines has a community bakery, its own panaderya that supplies freshly baked pandesal from dawn to midnight. Growing up at the south end of Pulang Lupa in Las Piñas, we were awakened...
A FILIPINO FAVORITE Halo halo is considered the go-to dessert dish for most Filipinos Lolo and Lola were the ideal couple. She stayed home to look after the kids; he worked, managing his jeepney factory. There was no maid to assist her, yet she managed to prepare three meals a day for her brood....
MINESTRONE SOUP FOR THE SOUL Minestrone Soup is a thick soup of Italian origin made with vegetables, often with the addition of pasta or rice Cold nights and chilly mornings have finally driven away the oppressive heat and humidity of our long hot summer. The weather change means taking out...
EGG-CELENT MIX Mayonaise, in its simplest form, is an emulsion of raw egg yolks and vegetable oil flavored with lemon juice, mustard, and vinegar I married a man who could not live without mayonnaise, which was a big problem when we moved to Manila from Hong Kong. Philippine-made mayo is sweet,...
As 2024 begins, it is time to make an honest and thorough inventory of our kitchens to make life easier for everyone in the household. Check which items have been overused and need to be replaced. Determine whether to get an appliance’s newer or bigger model. Decide whether it is time to invest...
TIME-HONORED TRADITION Every year, on New Year's Eve, families gather together to reflect upon the last year as they count down to the coming year The Philippines is very rich in superstitions, particularly during the New Year, which many believe should be met with ear-busting noise to ward off bad...
