This month is Filipino American Heritage month! One of the best ways to explore Filipino American culture is by delving into their wonderful cuisine. This week I interviewed three AU students on campus about their own experiences with Filipino food and culture: Holly Sharp (senior, nursing), Anjela To-Ong (senior, physical therapy), and Alex Noble (senior, engineering). Here are some of their thoughts:
What is your history with Filipino food?
Holly: I am half Filipino, so Filipino food is what I grew up eating, especially when I was sick. So it was a big part of my childhood, being fed this food from my mom and Lola.
Anjela: I was born in the Philippines and was raised there for the first six years of my life. My family has always cooked Filipino food at home, so I grew up with it.
Alex: *laughs* Basically none before I met Anjela. We’ve been dating for three years, and over that time she has exposed me to a good bit.
What is your favorite Filipino dish?
Holly: For a comfort food it would have to be Arroz Caldo; it's a soup you eat when you're sick. I like it because it is sour, especially the way my mom would make it.
Anjela: It has to have rice in it for sure, but if I have to pick it would be Chicken Inasal.
Alex: Anjela, I need your help to remember what I’ve had.
Anjela: You’ve had the fish jerky, that was called bilad.
Alex: Bilad? Oh yeah, that was good.
Do you have any specific memories around Filipino food?
Holly: Family parties with pancit and chicken adobo. Filipinos like to eat and share food—for us, food means family.
Anjela: I don't have many specific memories other than going out to different restaurants and trying different dishes, and then making them at home.
Alex: Eating that bilad was a fun memory because Anjela’s whole family thought I would hate it, but it was actually pretty good!
Do you have any specific places or events that you go to in order to enjoy Filipino food around AU?
Holly: Fil-Am potluck and friends houses.
Anjela: Whenever I return to my home church in Chicago, they always have a potluck.
Alex: That’s the same for me (referring to Anjela’s answer), that's when I get the opportunity to have Filipino food.
Are there any dishes you haven't tried yet but would like to?
Holly: Blood porridge sounds interesting. I want to try it because it represents how you need to be resourceful.
Anjela: What haven’t I had? I’m not sure.
Alex: I don’t know what I’ve had and what I haven’t had.
Rachel: Is there anything that you want him (Alex) to try?
Alex: Yeah, what should I try?
Anjela: Remember when my mom suggested you try Balut? That’s a fertilized duck egg that's cooked. Alex: Alright, I’m down.
Anjela: I haven’t tried it yet either, and I don’t want to, but if you try it I’ll try it with you.
Anything else?
Holly: The Filipino culture is about family, resourcefulness, and working hard all to be able to create a better future for your descendants. Our ancestors came to America for a better life for their children. Each generation continues this legacy.
Anjela: Filipinos are very friendly, and when they offer you food don’t decline it!
Alex: I would say that I have enjoyed the times I’ve gone to Anjela’s church. They are very welcoming and have a nice community. So I would encourage others with the opportunity to visit a Filipino church.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.