Food and The Philippine History

[Audio] Food and The Philippine History. Food and The Philippine History.

[Audio] Food is anything edible that helps the growth and maintenance of the body; it is essential and one of the basic physiological needs of human beings. However, it is more than something we eat; Food creates bonds between people. "Food, to a large extent, is what holds a society together" ( Farb & Amelagos, 1980). And every society has a culture, traditions, beliefs, and norms all can be represented with certain food. It's a form of cultural identity. And understanding culture can also relate to understanding history. History, a chaotic saga of cascading events that occurred throughout the past that are ordered and studied to have a grasp of what were the people back then. Today we'll discuss the history of the Philippine setting and food throughout the period..

[Audio] Before the Spanish colonization, origins of the early settlers in the Philippines are still undetermined, however there are two theories on where the first Filipinos came from: The Migration Theory of Beyer and the Evolution Theory of Jocano. Either way, most believe we are part of the Austronesian group who are apart from the Polynesian. Since early settlers are hunters and gatherers, food during the pre-hispanic era mainly consisted of a protein diet. Which includes livestock, seafood and other animals. It is only in the 3200 BCE, Austronesians from China and Taiwan brought agriculture and rice cultivation started. Initially, common food preparation during these periods are: Kilaw ( Eating raw meat or with vinegar), Tuwa (Boiling), Asal (roasting) or Sugba ( Grilling), and Singaw (Steaming)..

[Audio] During Song Dynasty of China ( 960– 1279 AD), The trade and exchange between China and the Philippines introduced the following ingredients Toyo ( soy sauce), Tokwa ( tofu), Toge ( bean sprouts), Tanglad ( Lemongrass), Patis( Fish sauce), Pancit ( Noodles), and the utilization of Kawayan ( bamboos) such as Labong ( bamboo shoots). And preparations such as stir frying and soup making. Occurring around the same year, the early Filipinos have also traded with other neighboring countries. Flavors and Spices from West Asia ( Arab and India) reached the Philippines through trading with malay-indonesian; ingredients such as peanuts, bagoong ( shrimp paste), atchara and dishes such as curry, kare-kare, bibingka, puto, and puto bumbong developed..

[Audio] The early Filipinos did not adopt the eastern food practices such as using chopsticks. They practice what we call kamayan (eating with hands), they also practice salu-salo (eating together). Additionally, alcohol was already prominent before the spanish era, and the production of agricultural products, mainly rice, also signifies high status during the pre-colonial period..

[Audio] Ferdinand Magellan accidentally landed in the Philippines in search of the spice island. See how food is also a reason for voyaging, well the improvement of food through spices. Not long after The Philippines was colonized by Spain ( 1521- 1898). During this period, the galleon trade brought the philippines crops such as corn, chayote, tomatoes, pineapple, potato, camote, jicama, cacao, and chili peppers. The technique of sauté was also introduced during this period as well as the use of kubyertos or utensils (typically spoon and fork only since knives are thought to be dangerous if held by Filipinos)..

[Audio] When the Spaniards were building churches, their cement at their time was called agramasa, one of the compositions that are egg whites; yolks are supposed to be discarded instead this led to the creation of torta, yema, and leche flan. The Friars introduced Simbang Gabi, which are held around 3 to 5 in the morning and every after mass; outside churches are stalls selling bibingka and puto bumbong.

[Audio] This is for those who need carbohydrates, mostly farmers. The process of baking, stewing, and meat fermentation also became prominent. Food such as relleno, paella, longganisa and tapas became known. Filipinos tend to store cured meat underground just in case there are shortages and preparation for fiestas. Additionally, Adobo and Lechon originated in the Philippines and their names were borrowed from Spain..

[Audio] During the American Period ( 1898 - 1946) and Japanese Invasion ( 1942 - 1945) Food became scarce during the Spanish-American War many died due to famine and disease. However, during the American Period the concept of boodle fight was introduced, where people salu-salo ate food from banana leaves while standing. They also introduced other food processing such as freezing, canning, and pre-cooking. Appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves were available..

[Audio] They also introduced the concept of fast food, and food such as burgers, hotdogs, corned beef, evaporated and condensed milk, and ice cream. During the Spanish period, ice cream was only for the elite. This time the Filipino diet is higher in fat. When the Japanese invaded, food that was mostly for most victims were saba (a type of banana) and cucumbers. It was a time of war; food was again scarce. It was also in this period the concept of carinderia and turo-turo became known, a canteen-like restaurant..

[Audio] During the Autonomy and National Determination ( 1945- 1972) The Americans introduced Home economics, a subject dealing in household management, this includes cooking as well. Which gave a wider scope for understanding and making food..

[Audio] At the time of Martial Law ( 1972 - 1986). The Philippines was said to attain self-sufficiency in food supply under Marcos Sr. Presidency. However, this was proved to be false, there was even a rice famine during his reign, additionally his programs to achieve self-sufficiency such as masagana 99 only caused the economy to plummet. There was also the attempt to credit the concept of nutribuns for those malnourished and victims of calamities. Basically, food was scarce under his reign and only those who have power have food. There are also sayings that during martial law there are those who abuse power and take food from the people and resell at the profit..

[Audio] Today ( 1986-present), The Philippine food and food practices continues to evolve, adapt new techniques, create new dishes and fusions and discover new utilizations of ingredients. Through globalization and food trades, Filipinos are able to taste other countries' dishes as well as get an experience of their culture and vice versa. We still bring the past traditions until now, such as the concept of kamayan and boodle fights during outings, the tendency of salu-salo inviting other to eat with you or in groups in restaurants or even a simple carinderia, alcohol drinking and toasting, the bibingka and puto bumbong after mass, Noche Buena during Christmas and New Year, the fiesta and lechon, the desserts such as leche flan and kakanin ( rice dessert dishes). Filipinos are starting to be more health conscious controlling their diet and still do continue to gather over food, whether for meetings, dates, occasions..

[Audio] There will always be food which brings relationships and society closer. " Food is not just what we eat. It is an expression of who we are, how we live and the world we inhabit" ( Kurlansky, 2007)..