Biko with Mango

This is a Pinoy version of the ever-famous Thai sticky rice with mango which I couldn't stop eating when I was in Bangkok (I'd alternate it with Jay Pad Thai when I was there in early November). My mother said they used to have suman with mangoes and tsokolate for merienda in the early days. It's a tradition that is slowly dying I suppose with many Filipinos always wanting to have anything but local. They'd rather have fries and sundaes from the Big M and pizza from the pizza kubo than having biko, puto or kutsinta for snacks. The latter is only for the poor.

"If you have the money, why settle for something local? Get something imported." Unfortunately, this is how a lot of people think in this country.

I invited my cousins for pizza and halo-halo at Merco, one of the first food establishment in the city and famous for its bake goods and ice cream desserts.

They asked, "Why Merco?"

"The pizza and the halo-halo are good. They have holiday treats, 20% off on pizza and buy-1-take-1 for the halo-halo, plus it's a local establishment that Dabawenyos should really be proud of." I said.

I still don't consider myself a well-traveled person but everytime I'm in a different country I couldn't help but be proud of the Philippines. We have a rich and colorful culture, beautiful beaches, and we are one of the most megadiverse countries in the world. We might not have a distinct character when it comes to our cuisine unlike our Southeast Asian neighbors but for sure we have natural resources, flora and fauna, among others, to boast of.

Pessimism doesn't really have a place in a yogin's life. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali said, vitarkabadhane pratipaksabhavanam. When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite (positive) ones, should be thought of. This is pratipaksha bhavanam.

There's hope for the Philippines. Even when politicians abuse their power and beat defenseless citizens, ongoing war in Mindanao (I have to make this clear though the war is NOT IN ALL of Mindanao. People have this funny idea that the entire island of Mindanao is chaotic and in a constant state of war), and landslides threatening the lives of many of our brothers and sisters, 9 out of 10 Filipinos are still hopeful for the year to come. No wonder we're one of the happiest people on earth.

It's lunch time. I think I have to stop all these nationalism before I become too engrossed in it and decide to run for public office. My father's relatives are either educators or politicians. I think I'd rather be one of the former.

Thanks for joining me for practice this morning, Sarah. Fritz promised to join us in our next practice session.

Here's a famous Philippine ad on youtube.



And on Kadayawan, the annual street festival in Davao.