Food: Binding Filipinos

Have you ever noticed how all Filipinos would invite anyone and everyone to eat? The all-too-familiar, “kaon ta!” or “kain!” is overheard at virtually every street corner whether they know the people or not. It is in our nature. Dining is a communal thing for Filipinos.

This was the idea that struck me one evening as I sat with my family and dined. No matter what the food was on the table, it was always all about the “family style” dining, even if the serving was indeed for one person. The restaurants around the metro also recognize this and serve huge servings and we’d usually ask “Kuya, good for ilan ito?” pointing to a particular order on the menu. Yes, Filipino dining culture is never only just about the food. When asked what my favorite garnish or any other side dish to an already great meal is, I say great company. Yes, I rarely dine alone.

Taking this thesis a bit further, I noticed that most, if not all, Filipino dishes were never meant to be consumed alone. One dish would always taste better with another, thus portioning and sizes are never a individual's burden. If you could name a traditional Filipino dish meant to be consumed alone then you have me beat. I am not familiar with any. You can never cook adobo, sinigang, nilaga, kare-kare for one. You can try.

So next time you’re in a foreign country, try and inviting foreigners “Kain ta!” or “Kain tayo!” and introduce them already to a Filipino tradition. But don’t forget the extra rice!