Eating is one of the few things that everyone does, whoever they are and wherever they live. However, ways of eating and enjoying food can differ depending on where in the world you are. Food can be a social experience, a way to get large groups of friends and family together. It can be something for parents to enjoy with their children, or for couples to enjoy with each other. It can be a solitary experience, with food eaten on the go. It can be plentiful, or it can be scare, paid for with food vouchers or borrowed money. It can be It can be all of these at once.

With the Philippines changing and becoming more westernised, we see some of these different customs here. Partly we see it in the increasingly number of restaurants serving foreign cuisine (such as pizza restaurants), and partly we see it in changing eating habits, such as businessmen eating alone.

As the world becomes more globalised, so our eating habits do too. Here are some of the more unusual ways different people eat around the world.

Arctic Traditions
In the Arctic circle, food customs are strongly dictated by the climate and the seasons. In summer, it barely gets dark, and in winter it barely gets light. In winter, there is very little access to food, especially fresh food, and so the people have come up with some innovative ways of preserving food to get them through the long days of darkness. One delicacy is ‘Kivaq’, or fermented sea bird meat. During summer, people catch the birds and then place them in a bag made of seal skin. They then put the bag under stones and leave it for several months until it ferments. When other food runs out during the cold winter, they return to the stones and dig up their meal. In general, people in the Arctic eat simple food which can be cooked quickly, preserving fuel for keeping warm. One of their most common meals is seal – which is often eaten raw.

African Traditions
Many African people still lead a very traditional, tribal life, although the modern world has naturally encroached on their lives. This means that they sometimes follow a mixture of food traditions, with some of the older customs now reserved for guests and special occasions. Cattle and goats are kept my tribal people, but not often eaten by them: they are seen as a way of storing wealth rather than a source of food. Often, they cannot produce milk either, as certain diseases endemic to the region make it unsafe. Instead, many tribes drink their animals’ blood for nutrition. While they are surrounded by incredible animals, few Africans will kill them for food. However, they will sometimes eat the huge eggs of the ostrich: one is equal to 24 chicken eggs! Some Saharan people will eat camel meat, which is sometimes sold with a slice of the animal’s hump to use as a cooking fat.

Aboriginal Traditions
Like the people of the Arctic, the Aboriginal people of Australia traditionally ate a diet determined by the harsh environment in which they live. Theirs must be one of the most unusual of world cuisines. Having to survive in desert conditions meant that they knew exactly how and where to get any kind of food from, and they often found it in the strangest of places. They would hunt some of the native animals (such as kangaroos) using their famous boomerangs, but they would also often dig for food in the ground. Those who know where to look can find delicacies such as honey ants: ants which store honey in their large, swollen stomachs; and various kinds of grubs. wichetty grubs, a kind of moth larva. Flowers are another source of nutrition, their nectar sucked out and the remains used to make a sweet drink.

These are just a few of the world’s strange food customs. There are many more. No doubt they don’t seem strange at all to those who eat them, but are just common-sense.

Credits
Isabella Woods

I was curious when I saw this signage and tarpulin print-out from a road distance, whenever I pass by at Bajada Street when I’m on my way to work.

Finally, after days of longing, waiting and wanting, I convinced myself to go that place they call Cebu’s Best Balamban Liempo with their tagline “Tastier than Lechon” they had their soft opening last November 23, 2011. I ordered their Balamban Liempo, 2 and a half rice, bottle of sprite.

I have a similar blogpost about this Cebu’s Balamban Liempo variant at Ngoyong Haus. The Balamban Liempo Cebu is priced P180.00 it’s 20 Pesos higher compared to Ngoyong Haus P160.00.

Their staff are courteous, servings is somewhat generous, balamban liempo’s pork belly skin is crunchy and tasty. The only minor hiccup is; there’s this strange aftertaste which I think happens to most when meat stocks are refrigerated or frozen and being thawed out prior to grilling.

In coming weeks by the end of December 2011, they’ll be serving meals good for one person to a group of four (4) or more.

Their store is located at Door 6, Delgar Commercial Complex, J.P. Laurel, Bajada, Davao City.

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After gunning two (2) consecutive wins starting from Philippine Blog Awards 2010 to Philippine Blog Awards 2011 - I am happy to join the awards night at the East Asia Royale Hotel.

Every awards is not complete without having a great meal, from where else? – of course at the Tuna Capital of the World – General Santos City.

During the awards night we were serve a humongous 32 kilos fresh premium grade tuna, cleaned, cut into sashimi sizes, served on saucer, Kikkoman sauce, kalamansi, and potent wasabi lined-up for serving.

That’s not it – the food served are all Halal Friendly too, starting from Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet, Beef Steak Mushroom, and to top it all for vegetarian out there – Mixed Stir Fry Vegetables – (looks like a Chopsuey version to me)

Over-All Experience – Awesome!

My colleagues from the teaching profession at the school I previously worked invited me to a dinner at Rego’s Pasta Express.

We ordered Rego’s Marinara Special, Merlot’s Pasta, Gambero Basil Pesto, Surf’s Up Pesto Pasta and the rest from Leafy Green Things – Rosie’s Sallata, Shrimp in Se-Soy Salad.

I probably ate too much and guess what? – I pooped at their toilet and took a took a picture of the funny reminder posted on the toilet’s wall and that made my day smiling!

The food of the Philippines is a true blend of eastern and western flavors. It gathers influence from the many nations that settled the islands upon its discovery. Spain’s cuisine is the most prominent in Filipino food, from tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and saffron that are used in many dishes. Chinese, Japanese, American and Malaysian flavors are also common in the foods of the Philippines. Spicy chili peppers, ginger, vinegar and soy sauce are all common ingredients in Filipino cuisine.

Filipinos eat a large amount of fish, due to the island landscape of the nation in which they live. Other inexpensive meats are common in Filipino dishes, such as goat and pork. While chicken and beef are used, it is common to find meals and snacks made from all parts of animals. This reduces expenses and spreads meager resources over several sittings. Fruits native to the region, such as coconut, banana, guava, pineapple and mango are used extensively for both sweet and savory dishes.

The national food of the Philippines is called adobo. In Spain, “adobo” refers to a condiment of oil mixed with garlic and marjoram. In the Philippines, however, adobo is used to describe a cooking method that employs vinegar, salt or soy, black peppercorns, bay leaf and garlic. Though the ingredients used to make Filipino adobo come from all over the globe, this cooking method is unique to the nation. Filipinos have been stewing meats in salted vinegar for decades. Adobo is commonly used to cook pork and chicken.

Filipino food was born of the tradition of communal preparation in a family kitchen. Foods are customarily eaten with the hands, though this tradition is rarely seen in urban areas. It is customary for meals to be served three times daily in the Philippines, with a snack called “merienda” enjoyed in the afternoon. The majority of Filipino food is broth-based and served with rice. Sauces and condiments, called “sawsawan,” are an integral part of the food. Often several kinds of sawsawan are served with a single meal.

The food of the Philippines integrates flavors and food from all over the globe but adds island flair to many dishes. The Spanish classic, seviche, is served with coconut milk in the Philippines, imprinting the nation’s distinctive influence on the dish. There are Filipino dishes inspired by Chinese dim sum, spring rolls and noodle dishes. Truly, the reflection of the nation’s history is apparent in its food. The best place to sample the cuisine of the Philippines is at one of its many street markets. There, one can taste a variety of foods in small portions while saving money on large dishes. Street vendor favorites include breaded, deep-fried quail eggs, grilled chicken intestines and fried bananas.

This post was contributed by Holly Miller, a writer for Coupon Croc. Planning a trip to the Philippines? Use Booking.com discount codes and save on all of your travel plans this year.

Image Credits:
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http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/

The Cagayan de Oro Bloggers (CDO Bloggers) group is set to play host to the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, which will be held on October 24, 2009. With the theme, “Mindanao: Bag-Uhon Ang Panan-aw,” the MBS 3 aims to uphold the beauty and strength of the island and to expunge the negative notions the world has about it.

(Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines – October 21, 2009) – It’s all systems go for the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers (CDO Bloggers) as they play host to the much-awaited Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, an annual gathering of Mindanao-based bloggers, IT industry experts, community leaders and new media advocates, on October 24, 2009 at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City. Roughly 300 bloggers are expected to attend this year’s summit.

With the theme, “Mindanao: Bag-Uhon Ang Panan-aw,” (Changing The Way People See Mindanao) the event aims to uphold the beauty and strength of Mindanao, to highlight the diverse cultures and fascinating tourist spots that are uniquely Mindanao and to provide a platform where bloggers and other new media practitioners can discuss concerns related to Mindanao – all with the help of new and emerging technologies.

“Mindanao is the home of everything fascinating or in bloggers’ lingo – bloggable. Through the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, it is the hope of the CDO Bloggers, along with our partners and generous sponsors, that we listen to knowledgeable resource persons, meet other Mindanaoan bloggers, share and maximize all of our skills and resources and adopt tried and tested practices that can help us to fully promote Mindanao and for us to become better bloggers as well,” emphasized Chiq Montes, president of CDO Bloggers.

“Of course, we also want all of the participants to have a good time and experience the sights and sounds of Cagayan de Oro,” Montes added.

Montes said that apart from Mindanaoan bloggers, the summit will also see the participation of some bloggers from Luzon and Visayas.

Expected to grace the summit is United States Embassy’s new Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett, Atty. Adel Tamano, Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Tinnex Jaraula.

Considered unprecedented in the Philippine blogosphere, a top ranking United States Embassy dignitary is set to deliver the keynote address. Bassett’s trip to CDO will be her first trip to Mindanao since assuming office in June. She previously served as DCM in Mexico.

“We are deeply honored. We’re certain that the summit participants will be delighted to meet her and we can’t wait for her to see our beautiful city,” Montes said.

Other speakers during the whole-day affair include Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Tinnex Jaraula, Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and Atty. Adel Tamano.

Google’s Philippine representative Aileen Apolo, whose talk will focus on beginners, Digital Filipino’s Janette Toral, who will discuss blog advertising and Lyle Santos, who will talk about making money online will also be present. Representatives of other blogger groups including those in Davao City, General Santos City and Zamboanga will also give updates.

After the summit proper, participants have the choice of joining either the city tour (Xavier University Museum, Cathedral, Divine Mercy Shrine, Opol Aviary, Limketkai Mall) or the whitewater rafting adventure.

Also happening on October 24, right after the MBS 3, is the Philippine Blog Awards – Mindanao awarding ceremonies.

CDO Bloggers, Inc., a group duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is the lead organizer of this year’s Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3. Previous summits took place in Davao City and General Santos City.

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 is generously supported by SMART Telecommunications, Nokia, Syntactics, Inc., STI, Rafting Adventure Philippines, MakatiAve.com, Majesty Sales Center, Havaianas Philippines, OLX Philippines Free Classifieds, Clara Shoppe, ASTERISK Events and Communications, RG & K Construction, Paguia’s Cottages, The Pacifica.com Companies, The Site, Spruce, The City Government of Cagayan de Oro, Office of CDO First District Rep. Rolando “Klarex” Uy, SM City Cagayan de Oro, Ultra Craft Advertising Corporation, Magnet Advertising, Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental and the Mindanao Bloggers community. Media partners include Papa Ardie’s Concepz, STI, ABS CBN, MOR 91.9 and HOT FM 106.3.

For more information about the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, log on to http://www.mbscdo.com

About CDO Bloggers

CDOBloggers or Cagayan de Oro Bloggers, Inc. is a duly SEC-registered organization that promotes Cagayan de Oro through blogging. Among the group’s goals are to create impact in society through blogging, to help promote Mindanao to the world as a bustling and peaceful land, to promote Cagayan De Oro City and Kagay-anons around the world with a sense of pride and to use blogging as a media platform.

The CDO Bloggers group is the main organizer of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 (MBS 3). For more information about MBS 3, log on to http://www.mbscdo.com

For more information about CDO Bloggers, visit http://www.cdobloggers.com or send email to cdobloggersinc@gmail.com

About Mindanao Bloggers

Mindanao Bloggers aims to unify the island through this exciting new medium — the way of the blog — thereby promoting deeper understanding of our different cultures and beliefs. Thus, it is hoped that this community blog will help in presenting to the world at large the true beauty of the Philippine South, as well as the marvelous diversity of the peoples of Mindanao. For more information about Mindanao Bloggers, visit http://www.mindanaobloggers.com

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