The Pilgrim's Pots and Pans

Nth edition, constantly edited

When some of us thought of launching a Filipino food blogging event in the tradition of Is My Blog Burning?, all I was concerned about was the theme should be something that coincided with Philippine holidays or festivals. Since our Independence Day in June had passed, I thought the next holiday was Ninoy Aquino Day of 21 August. Clearly, I wasn’t using my mind.

When one introduces a stranger to a certain cuisine, it has to be something enjoyable. It has to be something remembered. Usually, we Filipinos introduce our visitors to our food during feasts and these are always joyous events. When I thought of the theme for this event, I didn’t realise how much angst and tension was about to be dredged up from the sands of time.

However, when we introduce food to our visitors, it is implicitly an introduction to a way of life. To eat with someone is an intimate activity shared by friends and loved ones. When we share our food with strangers we forge bonds, forming a certain kinship which eases the acceptance of the one who used to be a stranger.

Thus we share with the world our food, our lifeblood, albeit virtually. Just like when we eat face-to-face, we share our thoughts on a very significant event for the Filipino nation. By articulating our feelings about a tumultuous period in our history, when our will as a nation was tested, we open ourselves up and hope that we are better understood. If it is said that the theme for the launching is too heavy and not fit for a food event, we can only smile and ask if something like that isn’t part of life. And we do share life stories when eating. We can neither hide nor run from it. At the end of the day, all our pain and suffering, our small triumphs, dreams, pure laughter and much love is shared around the dinner table. After all, these are what make up the story of the Filipino nation.

Now we present the entries² for the first Lasang Pinoy Filipino Food Blogging Event in all their shapes, sizes, tastes and textures:

[checking if entries are still online]