Eat, eat, eat: Is rice a vegetable?

Mange Readers,

Food in the Filipino culture, says Doreen G. Fernandez "delivers messages"-- such as Goodwill-- often expressed non-verbally.  What messages about food and culture did the students in my ESL Practicum implied ( consciously or subconsciously ) during Quick Speak Monday?

Recently inducted into the hectic college life, Students A, A, and I venture into foreign territories with either spicy food from Sri Lanka, or 2 large Fries from McDonald's with 5 extra packets of salt, or Jelly Beans, Chocolates, and other sweets from the World of Willie Wonka.  Others, who aren't as daring, watch Reality Cooking shows, such as Hell's Kitchen, Iron Chef, and Master Chef ( hoping to learn to cook one day, if not, there's nothing wrong with the mantra "You cook, I eat" diba? ).

Some reflect about their religion.  Student F is Muslim, so sometimes she's curious to know the taste of Bacon.  Student B isn't Muslim, but after seeing a pig wallowing in its own excrement he vows never to eat pork again.  Student K is a Catholic, who is moved by the parable about the Wheat, Mustard, and Yeast ( moderation is key ).

No matter how far the University is, most students never forget where they grew up.  Student C from Isabella likes Pancit and Bating Pato.  Student A from Leyte starts to appreciate the taste of coconut milk in Kanilaw/Kilawin (boneless Bangus, Milkfish, Calamansi, Vinegar, Tomatoes, Onions ).  Student A from Pangasinan enjoys his grandmother’s Pinakbet.

Students A, B, and P still enjoy traditional dishes from generations ago: Bicol Express, Bopis, Chicken Feet, Dinuguan, Laing, Liver, Sayote, Sisig, Tilapia (fried), Tuna, and Tuyo.  Whether Junk food or food of the gods nothing compares to Mom’s Adobo, which according to Students B, P, R, and R has the right balance of sweetness and sourness, and crispiness and tenderness: Why not? after all, “Moms know best!”