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LITERARY NOOK
Food for Thought: Filipino Food ASAP
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Posted on Jun 06 2019
In honor of CNMI-PH Friendship Month this June, here is the first in a series of sonnets I call “Food for Thought: Acrostic Sonnet Appetizing Poems, or ASAP. They list popular foods from given countries with some light historical, political, geographical, and cultural threads woven throughout. These two, Sinigang Tinola and Adobo Pancit Rice, bring masarap (delicious) memories.
Filipino proverb: Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mahigit pa sa mabaho at malansang isda.”
English translation: “He who does not love his mother tongue is worse than a rotten fish.” Meaning, honor your origins and the language of your ancestors.
Sinigang Tinola Tales
S: Sinigang na may gabi for dinner tonight
I: Igorot friends from Northern Luzon
N: Not too much cooking oil keep it light
I: Ilocos is where my kumare is from
G: Got sinampalukang kambing, goat
A: And siling labuyo hot pepper sauce
N: Need to remember to cast my vote
G” Going over to see my kumpare boss
T: Tinola with leaves from malunggay
I: Inside my tummy is very masarap
N: Now for mango empanada pie
O: Ocean nearby has a lobster trap
L: Lechon babui coming up next
A: All my kompares I have to text
Adobo Pancit Rice Advice
A: Adobo is number one for Jose
D: Daily consumption not necessary
O: Once or twice a week is quite OK
B: Bagoong guisado makes me merry
O: Often made with chicken or pork
eat with rice, hot peppers, and fork
P: Pancit on the table for every fiesta
A: Add shrimp for taste and color
N: Noodles galore I want more
C: Chicken in it makes you fuller
I: It is one dish you just can’t ignore
T: Turmeric makes its color less duller
R: Rice doesn’t need to be red
I: It can be yellow instead
C: Color yellow for Laban
E: Enough for the whole gang
“Ang ampalaya kahit anong pait, sa nagkakagusto’y matamis.” (No matter how bitter a vegetable is, it is sweet to those who like it.”)
