#Illocano food

[tasteofthephilippines]

This Ilocano dish is called “dinakdakan” and I first tried it in Baguio and I can’t get enough of it! It is similar to sisig but it is more creamy because of the pig’s brain puree and sisig chopped more finely than dinakdakan. I personally like the taste of dinakdakan more than sisig.

 Basically the ingredients used to cook dinakdakan is:

- 1/4 kilo of pig’s brain

-1 kilo of pig ears

- 1 kilo of pig face

- 4-5 table spoons of vinegar

- as much salt as you want

- as much pepper as you want

- as much green chili peppers sliced as you want

- 1 medium sized onion sliced

Annndddd here is how to cook it:

1.) Add 7-8 cups of water to a pot and boil it. Then add as much salt and pepper you desire. Next add the pig ears/face and set the heat to low and allow it to boil for about an hour or until the meat is tender. Strain the water and set the food aside.

2.)  Step 2 is to boil the pig’s brains with a strainer in order to prevent the pigs brain from disintegrating. Just cook it for about 10 minutes or so until you see the brain turn white and remove the cook brains and set it aside.

3.) The next Step is to heat a grill and cook the ears and face on each side until it turns crispy. Be careful not to burn it.

4.) Remove the grilled meat from the grill to let it cool. Chop it into small pieces.

5.) Mix the pig brain and vinegar in a bowl and season it with salt and pepper. Add onion, chill, pepper, and the chopped meat.

6.) Transfer the finished product to a serving plate and enjoy!

[astoryinred]

Filipino Mourning Customs: A Chick on the Casket

If you ever visit a Filipino wake (lamay as it is often called) and you see that someone has placed a chick on top of the casket, please be more sensitive towards the bereaved. Their loved one has died in a particularly violent and sudden manner such as foul play.

This practice of putting a chick on top of the remains of a victim of murder or some violent death is said to originate from among the Illocanos in northwest Philippines, but this custom has spread to other areas throughout the country. The chick is fed with seeds that are strewn atop the casket. As the chick pecks away at the food, it is said to also be pecking at the conscience of the murderer or perpetrator. The chick's pecking is also supposed to keep the dead person's spirit continuing to seek justice for the crime. This continues for the duration of the wake.

Ma-Konsensya Ka: A Filipino View on Justice

An interesting characteristic of the Filipino view on justice, crime, and punishment is the appeal to a perpetrator's conscience to submit him or herself to justice, or to otherwise make some form of restitution. Hence one may hear this phrase "ma-konsensya ka sana!" as a reproach to anyone who has done some grievous ill. Justice is not deemed complete until the culprit has manifested some stirring of conscience, a change of heart, or anything that would signify that he or she understands the gravity of the situation and is ready to make amends. Depending on the situation, appropriate restitution can range from paying off hospital bills and funeral expenses, repairing damaged property, or pleading guilty when the appropriate legal proceedings are initiated.

Conversely there is also the view that an expression of remorse is considered by some to be a mitigating factor in dealing out punishment. Oftentimes someone caught by the authorities will beg with the aggrieved party or the kindred of the latter (especially if the victim is already dead) to please have mercy, for he or she is already sorry for the misdeed. Not everyone is moved by such pleas, but generally a show of remorse is deemed as more favorable in the court of public opinion than a stoic demeanor or cold silence.

The chick on the coffin of a murder victim is supposed to of course elicit enough remorse (or torment) from the culprit's conscience so as to make them come forward and do what is required of them by law and custom. When it is impossible to confront a perpetrator and say in person "ma-konsensya ka sana!" , resorting to the chick on the coffin is sometimes all that a family can do.

Justice Denied: The Extra-Judicial Killings

In recent years, it has become more apparent that a chick on the coffin is all that a Filipino family can do, especially when the agents of the law are the ones committing such injustices. From mid-2016, there has been an uptick in what has been called "extra-judicial killings" and outright murders committed by hired guns and even policemen. Many of the victims have been accused of being drug users or drug pushers, or were said to have "fought back" during police operations. Other victims are known activists for labor, land reform, indigenous peoples' communities and other marginalized sectors. Some of the dead are children who have been caught in the crossfire, or who were also accused of using drugs.

Official figures put the body count at 5,980 as of November 2020, but human rights groups and advocates put this number at 27,000 including vigilante-style killings and executions. To this day, most of the cases remain unsolved and pending investigation, despite a looming ICC case against certain powerful personalities in the Philippines. The reluctance of the police to cooperate with investigations, accusations of planting "evidence" such as guns and packets of drug paraphernalia, crime scene tampering, and intimidation of witnesses make justice a far-off dream for many of the bereaved.

Perhaps, in such cases, a chick on the coffin will not be enough to prick at the consciences of those who must face justice. Might I suggest a full-grown chicken or even the sarimanok and garuda of Maranao mythology? Only time will tell.

[batdadrph]

13, 14, 28. 29

softness for sunday’s sake;

13. what’s your comfort food?

adobo! always and forever. for those that have never had the pleasure of indulging in all mixed together with a bowl of rice, the best comparison I’ve heard in regards to influence is that’s as big of a staple as curry is with just as many varieties but does tend to center on the acidic savoriness of vinegar to bring out the natural sweetness of everything else! I can also personally say that plays with similar flavors to menudo if you subtracted the spice but takes much less time to make comparitively.

I can also readily say that it differs between the different microcultures of the Philippines, even amongst the families and individuals. I can’t begin to count the number of times my parents have butted heads on better interpretations as an Illocano-Visayan mix and Pangasinense lol.

14. favorite feel-good show?

honestly, The Simpsons. I’m pretty well-versed in the first twenty-ish seasons of the show since it was my benchmark for clever potty humor and coincidentally the political climate of the world beyond the sometimes-awful bubble of Texas and the glimpses of the Philippines I’ve taken for granted growing up. (not to say it’s a bad place to live but it’s only been in the past 12 years that it’s really blossomed into someplace accepting on a state level.)

Futurama’s also good shit. but that’s its own tangent.

28. hugs or hand-holding?

hand-holding, though I’ve always liked to be better at hugging.

(tw: abuse implications) to be absolutely honest, hugging’s a bit of a triggering action that still makes me freeze up and/or flinch. I used to react much worse and my old buddies can attest to that; sometimes it involved reflexively (and always accidentally, promise) hitting or kicking. of course, working on my mental health with psychologists and trust in my friends has exponentially improved physical reactions. I’m proud that I don’t hurt others now.

29. morning, afternoon or night?

evening and night for sure! I’ve always been an owl to the chagrin of everyone around me, even when I’m on the other side of the world lmao. there’s something peaceful about the dark sky, especially when it gets stormy, that charges my batteries and makes me desire to be active at otherwise ungodly hours.

[smokebabyjane]

Lil’ Q&A

• 1. have you ever been in love?

I have loved, but I’ve never been in love.

• 2. who is your favorite artist?

Tough question, but to name a few...Norah Jones, Jhene Aiko, Cardi B, and Green Day. Sometimes I feel like punching someone’s face in, so I’ll listen to System of a Down or SlipKnot.

• 3. what is your favorite music genre?

Everything except for opera. I’ll probably watch an opera show, but wouldn’t care to listen to it. I’d rather be at a club show with Hip-Hop/Rap or a fucking rock concert mosh pit. But when I’m cleaning or chillin I actually listen to more jazz, folk, r&b, pop.

• 4. have you ever had a penpal?

Yes, when I was like in elementary school & we’re still in touch.

• 5. are you single or in a relationship?

Always single. Hate to mingle lol.

• 6. what color are your eyes?

Boring Brown.

• 7. what is your favorite word?

Fuck.

• 8. do you play any instruments?

I used to play the harmonica, flute, piano, ukulele, but idk now.

• 9. what is your favorite color?  

Black. Red. White. Grey. Pink, duh

• 10. do you have any nicknames?

Rēne, Re, Rere.

• 11. what is your favorite flower?

Tulips and white roses. Forever (:

• 12. what qualities do you find attractive in a person?

Compassion, empathy, generosity, humor, maturity, and a good work ethic.

• 13. do you have any pets?

I lost my pet turtle and cactus, smh.

• 14. have you ever traveled outside of your home country?

Yes. USA.

• 15. what language(s) do you speak?

Tagalog, Illocano, a bit of French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean. English ftw.

• 16. who was your first crush?

This guy in middle school, popular bad boy. Every girl liked him probably. He liked me and was sweet. He actually asked me out then I broke it off. LMAO. Gawd.

• 17. do you wear glasses?

I should. Need new ones.

• 18. what is your favorite pastry?

Apple Strudel, apple pie, pumpkin pie. I’m literally picturing myself eat them right now. Smh.

• 19. do you prefer swimming in a pool or in the ocean?

Pool. I love the ocean, but it’s so damn salty. My eyeballs burn every fucking time.

• 20. bright, dark, or pastel colors?

Pastel <3

• 21. what is your favorite social media app?

I’m on Instagram more, but I actually prefer Tumblr.

• 22. what is your sexuality?

Straight, but I like to pretty girls for fun.

• 23. do you have any siblings?

Yes. Many actually.

• 24. what is your favorite scent?

I tend to lean towards musky, sweets scents.

• 25. where do you want to travel to?

Italy.

• 26. what is your favorite film?

American Gangster, Revolver, Grudge, Mean Girls, Jawbreakers, and more.

• 27. who do people say you look like? (celebrity/family member)

I’ve gotten Jhene Aiko a couple times which I think is complete bullshit, but she is pretty (: I just don’t think I look anything like her.

• 28. who is your best friend?

Zane <3

• 29. what is your dream job?

Scientist or acting.

• 30. do you know how to drive?

Yes.

• 31. who is/was your favorite teacher?

Idk, but I had a cute French teacher.

• 32. are you a feminist?

Fuck YES

• 33. what is your zodiac sign?

Aquarius

• 34. do you enjoy reading?

Love

• 35. do you have any hidden talents?

Most people don’t know I write poems, songs, and stories. I’m also a great graphic designer.

• 36. have you ever dyed your hair?

Yes. Pink, red, blonde, grey.

• 37. what is your favorite thing in your bedroom?

My laptop.

• 38. what is your biggest fear?

*****************************

• 39. can you whistle?

*whistles

• 40. do you make your bed every day?

Most days.

• 41. do you have any tattoos and/or piercings?

Both.

• 42. have you ever been on a roller coaster?

Yes. Worst sailor’s mouth on them.

• 43. surfing or skateboarding?

Surfing.

• 44. are you a dog or a cat person?

Cat. Dogs when they’re small, maybe a frenchie.

• 45. what is your favorite animal?

Always wanted a white tiger, but I’ve been having a thing for alpacas.

• 46. do you have a skincare routine?

YES

• 47. what time do you typically go to bed at and what time do you wake up at?

Whenever

• 48. what is your favorite memory?

When my son would sleep on my chest every night.

• 49. how tall are you?

5′ 0″

• 50. what is the best gift you’ve ever received?

Zane gave me a coffee cup that he painted on.

• 51. do you have a garden?

No

• 52. do you like bugs?

WTF? No.

• 53. what is your natural hair color?

Brownish black

• 54. what is your favorite food and drink?

Sushi, soup noodles, kimchi, and tea.

• 55. do you want kids?

I want to adopt my next one.

• 56. what is/was your favorite class?

Art and Psychology.

• 57. what color shirt are you wearing?

Pink.

• 58. if you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?

When I first met my family in the US.

• 59. what is your skin color?

Medium Olive Tan bb

• 60. hugs or kisses?

Hugs

• 61. have you ever drank alcohol?

Yes.

• 62. have you ever done drugs?

Done.

• 63. netflix or youtube?

Netflix.

• 64. ice cream or frozen yogurt?

Frozen yogurt.

• 65. succulents or flowers?

Succulents are adorbs.

[sunbeamofrunningwarmth-blog]

Cooking with my Dad

My family is from the Illocos + Nueva Vizcaya region of Luzon, Philippines. This dish is one of the “comfort foods” that I love to eat when I need to be grounded. Eating filipino food has been a way for me to transition back and/or feel closer to home.

It is a pescatarian hybrid/version of Ginataang ng Kalabasa with Shrimp & Pinakbet (”pakbet” known to Illocanos- people who come from the Illocos region of the Philippines- although not limited to just this region- Illokanos have migrated to different part of the archipelago; as well as, around the world)

Ingredients: bittermelon, tomatoe, onion, kalabasa, water, patis (fish sauce), long green beans, shrimp, & ginger

[thedailydish-blog]

Looking for a dessert? Try Mang Tootz’s very own Banana Rama. A popular carinderia near UST that serves not only Banana Rama but also Illocano dishes. It is very popular among Thomasians because of their affordable price and delicious food. Everybody told that you’re not a true blooded Thomasian if you haven’t tried eating in Mang Tootz. So what are you waiting for try and taste Banana Rama in Mang Tootz.

Below is the link to the nutritional value of Banana Rama.

©https://www.eatthismuch.com/food/view/banana-rama,104511//

[tasteofthephilippines]

Illocano empanada’s are the best! I first tried this at some victory bus stop, I bought 1 and went back to my seat. After 1 bite I knew I had to go back and get some more, which I did and got 2 more. When I went up to Santa Maria in Illocos, this one the first thing I looked for. Even here in Manila, the moment I found a vendor selling Illocano empanada’s, it was always an instant buy for me. Even here In gapo, I use to buy illocano empanadas at a vendor near a local hospital but sadly they closed and got replaced by  an angels burger joint...