A KALEIDOSCOPE OF

FILIPINO EATING HABITS

By: Visitacion R.
Dela Torre

February 4, 2022
—
Eduardo A. Gimeno III
—
ICT
Lipa, A Jewel of a City is Ms. Visitacion "Chit" R. De la Torre's 30th title. Naturally drawn to his
city in the south of Luzon, writing this first-ever coffee table book on Lipa has been doubly
pleasurable, if not fulfilling.

De La Torre is one of the country's seasoned writers and book authors. Born in the mountain-cool
Baguio City. She grew up in sedate Sta. Ana, Manila, and now resides in cosmopolitan Makati City.
She tucked in her A.B. English Journalism course from St. Theresa's College, her Master of Arts in
Linguistics from the Ateneo de Manila University, and further honed on Philippine Studies from the
University of the Philippines. At present, she is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Cosmic Anthropology at
the Asian Social Institute.

She has written numerous books, among them, Outstanding Filipino Achievers: The Ilocos Heritage,
which documents the history, culture, arts and crafts, livelihood, churches, landmarks, and tourist
destinations of the four original Ilocos provinces (La Union, Ilocos Sir, Ilocos Norte, Abra) among
other features: The Filipino Workers; Global Citizens; Cultural Icons of the Philippines; The Barong
Tagalog: the Millennium Edition; Landmarks of Manila: 1571-1930; Advertising in the Philippines;
The Filipino Child; Faith Enshrined: Churches of Pangasinan; The Heart Has Its Reasons (a
biography of a heart surgeon, Dr. Avenilo P. Aventura); Artist for the World (a biography of National
Artist of Music, Dr. Lucrecia R. Kasilag); VRP Medical Center Anniversary Book; Architecture and
Planning of Palafox Associates;
History of the Philippines Civil Service; Readings in Contemporary Philippine Literature; Readings in
Bilingual Philippine Literature (Drama, Essay, Short Story); Grace and Magic (a soul book). Her
forthcoming titles include Landmarks, Monuments and Shrines, Filipino Symbols, Expressions and
Brands; and Isang Daan (a book profiling Filipino values and virtues) among others.

In between her research and writing, de la Torre finds the time to manage her own publishing outfit.
Tower Book House. She's also the President of Brown Movement for Cultural Advancement, Inc., an
NGO which aims to preserve, promote, and enhance the Filipino cultural genius. Her other interests
include writing poetry, watching plays and movies, traveling, conducting creative writing workshops
for children and adults, and organizing religious pilgrimages here and abroad.

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SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE:
The essay “A Kaleidoscope of Filipino Eating Habits" informs readers about Filipino culture,
particularly in the area of eating. It showcased Filipino cuisine, traditions observed by Filipinos on
various occasions, and their approach to accommodating and greeting visitors in the best way
possible. It portrays the Filipinos of the countryside alongside the Filipino city-dwellers during their
meal hour. The eating habits of Filipinos were extensively discussed.

The writer was successful in capturing Filipino customs and traditions. She did depict real-life
incidents in the lives of Filipinos and used appropriate phrases such as "papag." It was realistic in
nature, and she did describe it in detail and from a broad perspective. She compared and contrasted
Filipinos from the rural and city people. Different scenarios were discussed and explained.

Filipinos living in barrios prefer to eat with their hands and are uncomfortable using a spoon or fork.
This is a common eating behavior among Filipinos. A basic supper was prepared and served. As long
as the rice is present, any dish they serve will be OK. For Filipinos, it is regarded as a basic dish.

Filipinos enjoy enjoying fiestas, even if they cannot afford them, simply for the sake of having fun and
entertainment. They are highly receptive to visitors and will accommodate them in their homes. Every
celebration in the Philippines includes Filipino cuisine, which is cooked just because they taste
delicious.

Wealthier Filipino families eat with finesse and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that everything
is delicious and agreeable. Foods are prepared not only to taste nice but also to look good. Those
who cannot afford to eat in expensive restaurants outside of their houses can eat in "turo- turo" to
satisfy their hunger. For the upper crust, there are fashionable and elegant restaurants that provide a
warm, familiar ambiance with prompt service.

If there are any leftover delicacies, Filipinos will say, "Sayang ang pagkaing ito." They are inexcusably
mortified as a result of their actions. Filipinos observe societal norms and behavior. Filipino eating
habits are diverse and distinct from those of other countries. It illustrates Filipino dining practices and
behaviors.

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D. ELEMENTS OF THE ESSAY:

1. Plot
Filipinos living in barrios prefer to eat with their hands and are uncomfortable using a spoon or
fork. This is a common eating behavior among Filipinos. A basic supper was prepared and
served. As long as the rice is present, any dish they serve will be OK. For Filipinos, it is
regarded as a basic dish.

Filipinos enjoy enjoying fiestas, even if they cannot afford them, simply for the sake of having
fun and entertainment. They are highly receptive to visitors and will accommodate them in their
homes. Every celebration in the Philippines includes Filipino cuisine, which is cooked just
because they taste delicious.

Wealthier Filipino families eat with finesse and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that
everything is delicious and agreeable. Foods are prepared not only to taste nice but also to
look good. Those who cannot afford to eat in expensive restaurants outside of their houses
can eat in "turo- turo" to satisfy their hunger. For the upper crust, there are fashionable and
elegant restaurants that provide a warm, familiar ambiance with prompt service.

If there are any leftover delicacies, Filipinos will say, "Sayang ang pagkaing ito." They are
inexcusably mortified as a result of their actions. Filipinos observe societal norms and
behavior. Filipino eating habits are diverse and distinct from those of other countries. It
illustrates Filipino dining practices and behaviors.

2. Characters (Characterization, what type of character)

Mang Teryo – He was made as an example for being a typical Pinoy who has spoon and fork
to offer or uses his hands in eating and shows us how food is a massive part of Filipino life.

Governor Alfonso Calalang – Stated that country cooking is similar to city cooking.

Aling Perla’s daughter – She was made as an example that Filipinos also celebrates and
changes style

Isko and Toyang- They were made as an example that Filipinos also celebrate Weddings

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3. Problem (What kind of Problem?)
One of the problems in the essay was Filipinos were fond of celebrating fiestas even if they
cannot afford them. That is why they ask for money even if the interest is high.

Filipinos in rural areas are not into using utensils. They only use utensils if there are guests.

Filipinos are easily getting embarrassed if there are leftovers after they eat in a restaurant. So,
they ask for a “doggie bag” if you claim to have several dogs or cats at home.

Those who cannot afford to eat in expensive restaurants can eat in“turo- turo” just to feed their
hungry mouths. For those who belong in the upper class, fashionable and fancy restaurants
are just there offering a cozy, familiar atmosphere with fast service

4. Theme
It tells us that Filipinos have a rich culture about foods and that we should preserve our way of
eating and cooking our dishes.

5. Literary Devices
Symbolism - Meal is a sign of communion with the Other World.
Symbolism - Bolo is used as an even better tool or all-purpose knife
Symbolism - Meat, for the Filipino, is associated with the cementing of ties or relationships.
Symbolism - In the same way, that a Chinese or Japanese uses chopsticks with ease But a
Pinoy uses his hand and handles it as his eating tools.

Symbolism- there’s a sense of sacredness attached to the meal so that we must face the
table as if we are going to a church or to a formal party.

D. WHAT CULTURE/S FROM THE COUNTRY WHERE THE STORY

ORIGINATED ARE EVIDENT FROM THE LITERARY WORK? (2-3
Paragraphs)

She compared and contrasted Filipinos from the rural and city people. Different scenarios
were discussed and explained. Filipinos living in barrios or rural areas prefer to eat with their
hands and are uncomfortable using a spoon or fork. This is a common eating behavior among
Filipinos. A basic supper was prepared and served. As long as the rice is present, any dish
they serve will be OK. For Filipinos, it is regarded as a basic dish.

Richer Filipino families dine with refinement and precise attention to detail, ensuring that
everything is delectable and pleasant. Food is made in such a way that it not only tastes
excellent but also looks wonderful. Those who cannot afford to eat outside their homes in
pricey restaurants might satisfy their hunger in a "turo- turo." There are fashionable and

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sophisticated restaurants for the upper crust that give a friendly, familiar ambiance with rapid
service. (La Union, Ilocos Sir, Ilocos Norte, Abra) It also originated in these places because
these are the places where she documents the culture and history of Filipinos.

E. WHAT LIFE LESSON/S Can be picked up from the work?

People also relate to their cultural or ethnic group through culinary patterns, which is a life
lesson we may learn from this work. Food is frequently utilized to maintain a person's cultural
identity. People of various cultural origins eat a variety of meals. Filipino food portrays Filipino
culture since we like to eat a variety of different foods at the same time, and it reflects Filipino
hospitality and the culture of strong family relationships. "When we eat at home, we always eat
together."

Filipino cuisine is distinct in that it is influenced by a variety of sources. Our cuisine reflects the
cuisines of the Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Western, and Pacific Islander peoples that
formed over our long occupation. A lesson that taught us that Filipinos have a rich culture
about foods and that we should preserve our way of eating and cooking our dishes.

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