FILIPINO CULTURE AND HISTORY

Traditional Filipino cooking originally just involved frying, sauteing, boiling and grilling. Not much steaming. Although the present cooking methods seem complex with varied influences from the Chinese, the Malay, the Spanish and from other foreign settlers of the Philippines, Filipino cooking methods are still distinct and very simple. The country is divided into seven major regions and each regions may have different way of cooking but usually the same ingredients. So when you visit to other regions, there is no surprise that foods are named the same across regions but may taste different. There are also dishes that are common to other part of the country but is not known to others.

FOOD VARIETIES AND METHODS OF COOKING

Some Filipino ingredients are so diverse it is hard to describe when you first see it. Wide variety of vegetables are eaten in the province. Most people have their garden full of fresh vegetable as it is one way to survive being far from the market. For people near the ocean, fishing is one common way of life in the Philippines and any kind of seafood is really a big trend in the Philippines. Common dishes on any occasion consists of meat mostly pork and chicken. Rarely beef, goat, duck and turkey. Vinegar and soy sauce are commonly used among many Filipino dishes as both a marinade and a condiment. Filipino foods can be defined by its combination of sour, sweet, salty and spicy sometimes all in the same dish. Filipino culture and traditions revolve around food, it brings people and communities together, so much that it is common to greet someone with ‘have you eaten yet?’ instead of ‘how are you?’ Filipino food is typically eaten with rice, using a fork and spoon. And traditionally, by kamayan/kinamot (with your hands). Just as in the other Southeast Asian countries, a typical Filipino meal often consists of white rice eaten with a variety of dishes, all of which taste better when eaten together with family and friends. The Filipinos are known of it’s hospitality and sociable people who love to party, and the food is often at the center of many celebrations. There is no better indicator of a seriously good party than a whole roast pig!

FOOD MEMORIES, THE LIFE OF UNFORTUNATE FILIPINO PEOPLE

Growing up in a big family, we barely have enough food in every meal. Every meal, is a struggle to find. There is no stocks of foods in the cabinet. We learned to work to earn for food or find food enough to eat for one meal for everyone in the family usually just vegetable soup and steamed corn meal that came from ground corn kernels. We eat fish which is cheaper than any meat when father get paid at least twice a month. We eat meat on occasions if not tight with budget. But in spite of financial difficulties, we try hard to bring friends and relatives to our house for occasional gatherings as we, Filipinos value our relationships with family and friends.
Since moving to America, food culture have changed! Abundance of foods surprised me and how some people waste it! Bringing passion of cooking and partying to America, I would like to share my Filipino-American cooking with all of you! Since there is no big family to share my food with, I have gathered plenty of friends to enjoy cooking for. With years of doing this, I enjoyed every moment seeing friends and family indulge the goodness of Authentic Filipino cuisine. I have American friends who enjoyed it as well. I encourage people from across different countries to try it!