An assortment of local foods and delicacies

Food plays a vital role in the lives of Filipinos. Not only because this is a basic need, but also because our history and culture are very evident in the food we prepare. There are a lot of local foods and delicacies in my hometown in Luisiana, Laguna. I have classified these foods into three types – main dishes, merienda and drinks.


In Luisiana, there are main dishes that are known as bumbay, laing-pinangat, minanok and hardinera. Bumbay consists of pork lungs which are tightly wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in boiling water. According to my grandmother, this dish is called bumbay as it is wrapped like an Indian’s turban. Laing-pinangat is made up of chopped ginger, garlic and dried fish. The ingredients are mixed with coconut milk before being wrapped in gabi leaves. On the other hand, minanok is prepared almost similarly like batchoy. Hardinera is usually served during the town fiesta and special occasions. This dish is like a local version of meat loaf. It is made up of diced pork, beef franks, raisins, garlic and onions, pineapple chunks, liver spread, pickles and eggs. The ingredients are then mixed and put in a llanera. The dish is cooked in a steamer. I think the reason why this dish is only served in special occasions is because the preparation and cooking can be tedious and time-consuming. 

Hardinera

                                                                     

Laing-pinangat

Bumbay

Luisianians have a number of options for merienda. Pancit habhab is a dish that has been adapted from Lucban, a nearby town. It is placed in a rectangular banana leaf and eaten using your mouth. The fact that one cannot use utensils while eating this dish adds excitement to it. Binilot is similar to a pancake. It is usually drenched in chocolate syrup and topped with nuts. There are also a lot of rice cakes that are local here. Minukmok is made up of cassava and sugar. Dinuldol consists of glutinous rice, sugar and coconut milk. Budin is made up of grated cassava, sugar and coconut milk. It is cooked in a brick oven. 

Minukmok

Pancit habhab

Binilot

Budin

Luisianians love good alcoholic drinks. I think this can be attributed to the cold weather. Lambanog is a popular alcoholic drink in Luisiana. The ingredients in making a lambanog are coconut sap, sugar and vinegar. This drink is made using a distillation process.

Lambanog

I've always loved how the people do not forget their history as some of these dishes have been served for decades, perhaps a century even. They really make a way to pass their knowledge about these to the younger generations.

Pandan Festival

A plant of the Family Pandanaceae, the pandan has large roots and narrow, spiny leaves. It is also the main source of livelihood for most Luisianians. This is used to weave bags, mats, hats and slippers. It is only fitting for the town to hold the Pandan Festival, which is celebrated during the first week of April. This four to five-day festival boasts a lot of activities.

On the first day of the festival, the awarding for the booth contest is done. Several booths and stalls near the town plaza participate for this.

During the night, a Cultural Night (or Gabi ng Kultura) is held in the town plaza. Students and government officials alike perform folk dances or sing kundiman songs. This is done annually to increase awareness of the Filipino culture to the younger generations. 

The Pagarbuhan Costume Contest is done on the second day of the festivities. This showcases the pandan-made gowns that are worn by the Bb. Luisiana candidates.

                          

 

The fourth day of the festival my favorite because of that day's activities. There is a grand parade around the town proper and selected streets. The parade consists of marching bands, drum and lyre bands, and colorful floats which are decorated in pandan. There are also representatives for each barangay for the street dancing contest, which is also a part of the parade. Candidates for the G. and Bb. Luisiana can be seen riding the floats while wearing their pandan-made costumes. Despite the sweltering heat, the participants seem to enjoy the parade as their smiles do not leave their faces.

There is also a contest called Gayakang Bayan where in the residents decorate their houses with pandan-made ornaments. This contest only started last year but this has quickly become my favorite because this shows how creative the Luisianians are. It is very evident how much time and effort were spent.

The Pandan Festival is not only about contest and awards. Since this festival is held during the start of the summer, this brings a lot of families together because this is the time when some people have less things to do. Due to school and work, our family goes home to Luisiana for only a few times in a year but we always make it sure that we are home for the festival to catch up with friends and relatives.

A typical morning in Luisiana

The cold wind hums softly as I am walking to a bench through the vast park. The smell of freshly-cut grass fills my nose. As I sit on the bench, I can see the children playing in the swings and seesaws and laughing as if the problems of the world do not touch them. From my place, I can also see the townspeople hurrying out of their houses to go to work or to their schools, while some take all the time in doing their chores. The baker from a bakeshop nearby brings out fresh and delicious bread to her loyal customers. 

The sounds of a promising busy day fill the air. Jeepney drivers call out for passengers, while some tricycles blast out music from their installed speakers. Some women are huddled close to each other as they walk going to church. In the other part of the park, which is now near the plaza, teenage boys are getting competitive as their basketball game goes intense. The loud voices of vendors roaming the town can also be heard.

The simplicity of the lives of the people of Luisiana will always fascinate me. Far from the noise and pollution of the city, one can always have the most relaxing time in this town.