BEHIND THE SHELLS:

AN INNOCENT YOUNG FATED TO DIE BEFORE IT SEES THE WORLD

Balut (Noun)
/Balot/
is a developing duck embryo (fertilized duck egg) that is boiled and eaten in the shell.

The world, as we know it, has multiple cultural traditions. From the largest to the smallest
living organism has its own cultural patterns to follow. Not even a single species can survive
without following one. It made us think. We are Filipinos. There should be something solitary
hiding behind our shells.

An 18-day-old fertilized duck egg also known as Balut made the world squirm. It was
common to the streets of countries in South East Asia such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and
Vietnam but the Philippines was the one who accepted it the most. It revolted even the most daring
foodies with its carnal textures, earning it lofty rankings on many of the "most strange or terrifying
food" list. Balut, according to myths, was said that once eaten by a male, it will improve its vitality
and potency. Although Balut was commonly labelled as Philippines much loved delicacy, not all
Filipinos are fund of eating it.

Statistically speaking, Compared to the countries who adapted and considered Balut as one
of their common delicacies, Philippines is dominant in terms of adaptation and consumption. Thus,
Balut was considered as one of the Philippines unique cultural pattern.

As long as the locals continue to patronize the delicacy, as long as this idiosyncratic
cultural pattern still be present and preserved, the fate of the life of an innocent young behind the
shell will continue to be end before it sees the world.