BAMBALAN, Gelina Rose A.

Hist 2 T-1R December 3, 2013

More often than not, history is associated to people and the places coupled with particular

dates. Zialcita presented history in a different light, or should I say, a different flavor. He echoed

the “identity crisis” existing in the Philippines through its “confusing” cuisine as cited in the

article. Asian cuisine is famous (or infamous, for some) for its over-flowing spices which

enkindle the dish with strong smell and taste. It was rather observed that Filipino dishes tend to

be on the sour side of our flavor palette. Thus, the argument goes, does Philippines exemplify the

so-called “Asian” way? Or, does the Philippines deserve to be called Asian?

“Why insist on an Asian Flavor?” is a lengthy article, as expected with historical

accounts. But as much as the article discusses food origins that can make your tummy feel

hunger, it is loaded with information – evidences regarding Filipino cuisine and what its place

should be in Asia.

Are we really confused?

The possibility of confusion in the country’s cuisine was mentioned due to its

colonization. As a Filipino, I believe we are not confused. We are just in possession of a kitchen

that has the ability to fuse the flavors of Asia and also those beyond Asia with a pop of Filipino

taste, making it somehow original. And that makes our identity. Asians are believed to have this

resilience in tolerating different cultures. “We” can accept the fact that we are inch by inch

different; nevertheless, there exists an interconnected nature which brings us courage to make the

idea of Asia real.

 It is true that the idea of having a cuisine with influenced by countries outside of Asia is

not very Asiacentric. However, I agree that the Filipinos have already embraced a new ideology

that is continentism.

Continentism/Continentalism

Continentism/Continentalism is defined as that having high regard for ones continent. In

our case, we must have high regard for Asia. For the Philippines, it is already too late and too

hard to change what has made the Philippines. Instead of being labeled as the Asian country

without its own identity, why not make an idea encompassing the whole Asian continent?

Philippine culture was born out of its many colonizers, hence its non-Asian cuisine.

Despite the Western origin, the Filipinos are not quick to eradicate the seasonings and flavors

common to Filipinos proving that the Filipinos still share an Asian tongue, so to speak.

Why insist on an Asian flavor?

As Zialcita mentioned, being Asian is not just defined by not being Western. We must

insist on an Asian flavor simply because we are Asians. Yes, we were colonized by Westerners

and we have lived in the shadow of other cultures but the passion to have and create our own

identity (though it being a mixture) must still lie within us, Filipinos.

Our country, the pearl of the orient was shaped and was polished by the tides who visited

our once silent and peaceful clam. Though this fact is really sad, it must be acknowledged that

these events gave the Philippines its identity – be it good or bad – it is now our job to transform

or improve it with the use of Asian ideologies that made other Asian countries gain power. After

all, it is not bad to make something an inspiration. We must insist on being Asians because we

are Asians.