Anywhere you go in the Philippines, from the lengthy coastal areas surrounding the more than 7,000 islands comprising the archipelago, to the inland valleys and rolling plains, up to the rugged mountain ranges, solitary hills and volcanoes rising up to the heavens that rig the land, the coconut tree is a ubiquitous presence.
So much so that in any place in the country, from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi, coconuts - that is to say, all the various parts of the coconut - figure in one way or another in the regional/ethno-linguistic cuisine.
So you have the fiery
ginataan (savory dishes cooked in coconut cream) that is the distinctive feature of Bicol dishes, or the sweetish and garlicky lumpiang ubod that is the specialty of the Bacolold-Silay area, to name a couple of the more commonly known coconut-themed regional fare. How about grandmas imbibing
tuba in the early morning southern sunshine?
But coconuts really do feature in the day-to-day lives of most Filipinos, and mostly in the ordinary, taken-for-granted ways that we almost forget how very tightly our diets (at least, in the pure Filipino sense) are entertwined and based on this tropical palm. We even have various terms for the coconut fruit depending on its level of maturity.
We slake our thirst on the refreshing coconut water, blend it into a cocktail, ferment it into natural vinegar, or take the fermentation a little further to turn it into an alcoholic drink.
We eat the meat straight from the shell, or toast it, or spoon it or break it into strips to mix in salads, or grate it to add flavor to any rice concoction, or sweeten it into
macapuno to eat it on its own or again mixed in a fancy dessert.
Even coconut fruits past their prime are valued – they provide the cream in which anything fancied can be cooked, be it a savory or sweet dish. We also have
bukayo - sweetened coconut - in all forms, color, texture and style, depending on the region. And of course, mature coconuts provide the meat from which
santana, or coconut oil, is expressed. Did you know that coconut oil may yet be the healthiest oil in the world?
We eat the trunk, too. Well, actually, it’s the young shoots of the tree, called
ubod.
Strictly speaking, we are now past the edible parts, since we really don’t eat the next one, but the intricately woven wrapper in which
suman,
patopat, or
puso are encased and steamed come from strips upon strips of young coconut leaves.
And in the rural areas, dried coconut husks are the preferred
pang-uling – charcoal – for a proper grill.
On top of this, the coconut is not called the tree of life solely on the basis of the food it provides. Because it also sustains life, by providing its durable trunk – to stand as the foundation of a small
nipa hut, or to elevate a
batalan in which food is prepared for a meal, and afterwards where the kitchen and dinner utensils are washed.
Essential components that sustain a family, helping turn a house into a home.
And the left-over spines of the leaves are gathered and bound to become
walis ting-ting – brooms – to sweep away the
camachile or banana peelings, and other litter on the floor or on the lawn. This last has even been transformed into a symbol of unity for the country – inspired by the Filipino proverb
Matibay ang walis, sapagkat nabibigkis. Roughly translated, though a bit far-fetched,“there is strength in unity,” but that is the essence of it.
And so it is with this sense of unity – by the food that transcends time and boundaries – that all Filipino bloggers across the country and all around the globe, as well as other bloggers and writers who have an affinity, nay, a passion, for Filipino food, are invited to join the Lasang Pinoy community in celebrating the fruit of life and the tree from which it springs, for the 24th edition of Lasang Pinoy.
- Anytime during the month of February you can write about or feature a photo of anything that involves the coconut, cooked or uncooked, edible or inedible. You can write about a time-honored tradition, or create/invent a new one for the succeeding generations. You can write about the coconut’s presence in your life while growing up in the Philippines, or what it has meant for you living elsewhere. Maybe discuss how coconuts are treated in your host country, dwelling on its status as compared to how it is valued in the Philippines.
- As an added feature, bloggers are requested to list at the end of your post any previous post/s, if any, involving the coconut. If you find you cannot come up with anything on coconuts for this month (which I dare say is impossible!), you can submit the list of previous posts as your entry.
- Non-bloggers are very much welcome – you can ask any of your favorite Pinoy blogger to host your article. Or you can email it to the host at sweet(underscore)bucaio(at)yahoo(dot)com, but just make sure to send it by February 22.
- Bloggers can post their entries anytime during the month of February (which includes any post before this announcement), then notify the host about your post/s via an email to sweet(underscore)bucaio(at)yahoo(dot)com with the subject LP24. A round-up of all posts to close the event shall be posted in the host's blog by the first week of March.
Please use the icon above, courtesy of
Mang Mike, to mark your post/s, or display it on your sidebar for the month. Please also link this announcement so that we can have maximum participation.
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