Adobo: The Representation of Filipino’s

Rich Cultural Diversity

It's Holiday season and festivities are just around the corner. A lot of Filipino homes are
preparing bunch of foods in their own little ways. Filipinos are big eaters and the Philippines is
known as Asia’s melting pot because of the uniqueness and variety of our food. But Filipino
cuisine is not a mere food for us, it is one of our cultural heritages that we are very much proud
of. In the Philippines, Adobo is a famous dish and a staple viand among our dinner tables. Adobo
is defined as the method of marinating and stewing any cut of meat such as pork and chicken in a
briny mixture of condiments such as vinegar, soy sauce and spices. It is considered as our
national dish and typically the crowd's favorite. The food represents the Philippines as a country
which is an archipelago, since each region in the Philippines has their own version of the Adobo.

There are many regional versions of the adobo, but there are staple ingredients that define
its recipe: vinegar, soy sauce, black pepper, garlic and bay leaves. These ingredients were used
for a purpose— it serves as a mixture for preserving the food. The climate here in the Philippines
is hot and foods that are prepared on the table can become spoiled easily. Which is why, our
ancestors come up with an idea of how to preserve the food 1-2 weeks before consumption. The
preserving qualities of adobo add to its popularity outside of its delicious flavor. The mixture of
its marinaded sauce yields a very flavorful meat defined as tangy and tender. It is usually served
over a bed of white rice that absorbs its flavorful sauce. The vinegar adds a sour after-kick to the
dish while the soy adds a strong combination of sourness and bitterness to it. The smell of the
dish is also remarkable because of the combination of the spices. Although soy sauce and vinegar
are considered the heart of the dish, some locals have added brine over the decades. Coconut
milk, which provides a mellow appeal to the powerful flavors of the soy sauce and vinegar, is
another type of liquid utilized in the meal. The tastes in the dish are further intensified by adding
sweetness to the dish through the use of honey or sugar. Because vinegars come in a variety of
flavors in the Philippines, the flavor of Adobo is determined by the type of vinegar used.

Adobo is a good representation of the beauty of food, regardless of its taste. It's tasty and
distinct at the same time. It promotes diversity among Filipino people. That 'though it contains
different ingredients, it still offers the same taste pleasure. For some, it is a mere dish but for us
Filipinos, it is our culture and identity as well.