MANILA, Philippines — The sun is about to set. By the beach are tables graced with warm rice and freshly grilled seafood. With bare hands, each member of the family digs in as giggles fill the carefree atmosphere.
Many Filipinos know that eating with clean hands is the best way to enjoy food. This traditional Filipino way of eating has abundant rewards most never truly notice.
As time passed, and several oriental and western influences after, the beautiful art of eating with bare hands has become murky as the stigma attached to it became clearer. Little by little, you have become more accustomed to using utensils, stripping out half the true Filipino dining culture.
Today, you only eat with your bare hands when you commemorate Filipino culture and traditions. These celebrations that bring you back to your roots make you feel undeniably good, and you ask yourself, “Why does everything taste better when we eat with our hands?”
Filipinos are known for their love of food. They elevate the dining experience by using their hands. Released
Bringing people closer
You might have heard it a thousand times but when we talk about Filipinos, it boils down to their love for food, making bonding a thousand times happier. But to elevate the experience, you can’t skip eating using your hands.
For Pinoys, a long table with adobo, lechon, grilled dishes, steamed vegetables, green mangoes and vibrant tomatoes, and a mountain of cooked rice on top of banana leaves, “Whoever you are, welcome! Come, dig in and join the fun.”
Everything tastes better
If you ask Filipinos and Filipinos-at-heart who have already tried the classic Pinoy way of eating, they will surely say that it was worth the experience. Above all, they will try to explain how it made the food taste a whole lot better. They do not need to pin down the exact words—let their expression do the talking.
More practical
Forget about cleaning your best linen, silver or dining wares. When it’s time for food, all Filipinos need are rolled-up sleeves, clean hands, grateful hearts and hungry tummies.
After the feast, you don’t have to worry about a sink full of dishes. You simply take off the gloves, roll up the banana leaves, and properly dispose them so they can naturally be one with nature again.
“#GoKamayan with Safeguard is a film that relays the brand’s pabaon to the nation—germ-protected hands that enable richer experiences. We do not only recognize the health benefits of hand washing but we also want to remind people that kamayan is something that you can do with clean hands comfortably with anyone, anytime, anywhere,” said Alex Vogler, associate director of digital transformation and brand communications for Procter & Gamble’s Beauty Division in Asia Pacific.
Building trust and relationships
Whether sitting or standing closely together, the eating tradition does not only display the Filipinos’ warmth and generosity, it also builds trust with the people hurdled around the table because of the shared food.
As true Pinoys who value the pabaon of Nanay, Tatay, Lolo and Lola, make sure to enjoy every bite of Filipino experience with clean and protected hands.
Just like famed personalities Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Boy Abunda, Bianca Gonzalez, Drew Arellano, James Deakin, LA Tenorio, Neri Miranda, and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, who just rediscovered the richer Filipino dining experience with germ-free hands, would you dare enjoy your food with clean hands as well?
Watch #GoKamayan with Safeguard on Facebook and YouTube and join in on the conversation. Share with us your kamayan moments online with the hashtag #GoKamayan and #Safeguard.
To learn more about #GoKamayan, visit Safeguard’s official website.