{"id":4884,"date":"2025-04-06T20:53:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T12:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/?p=4884"},"modified":"2025-04-21T20:38:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T12:38:25","slug":"foodtoremember","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/foodtoremember\/","title":{"rendered":"Food to remember"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joross Michael D. Bongcarawan<\/em><\/p>\n

Beep\u2026 beep\u2026 beep\u2026 beeeeeeppppp\u2026<\/p>\n

The rhythmic pulse on the monitor disappeared, replaced by an unbroken flat line, signaling the end.<\/p>\n

\u201cTime of death, 5:20 AM,\u201d the doctor pronounced.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, what\u2019s happening?\u201d exclaimed Mother with her voice trembling. \u201cCan you tell us what\u2019s happening, doc?\u201d \u201cDoc?!\u201d<\/p>\n

One question after another, but the answers eluded her. My mother can\u2019t seem to make things sense. She couldn\u2019t believe it. Neither could I nor my family. She was fine and looked so strong a few days ago.<\/p>\n

Everyone started to weep loudly, filling the room with anguished sobs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa Allah! Ya Rahman!\u201d my uncle shouted while gently patting my mother\u2019s back in an attempt to comfort her.<\/p>\n

We went to Tawi-Tawi just yesterday. She told us about the great things about Tawi-Tawi. Honestly, she was more excited than us first-timers. On the journey there, it was as though she had become younger again. Her voice was so bright and full of life with all her chitchats and loud laughs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can still remember when I was 18,\u201d Grandma had shared. \u201cwe went to Simunul Island. Did you know that it is believed to be the birthplace of Islam in our country?\u201d We just nodded because none of us had heard of it before. She added, \u201cAnd the oldest mosque?\u201d<\/p>\n

I raised my hand eagerly as if I were a student being called by a teacher in an oral recitation. \u201cSheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque!\u201d I answered enthusiastically but in an ear-piercing way. As a prize, she gave me a tight hug. A hug that is tighter than usual, as if she knew it would be the last time. Her grip lingered a little longer, as if she was trying to hold onto every moment she could have before things finally slipped away.<\/p>\n

With nothing but her happy-go-lucky and compassionate personality, no one would have imagined that her time would come way too early. It was quite hard for us to accept her sudden death.<\/p>\n

\u201cInna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji-un,\u201d whispered Grandpa, who was clearly trying to hold back his tears. I had never seen his eyes look so sorrowful and his usually steady voice falter. \u201cMay Allah grant her the highest place in Paradise. Ameen,\u201d he added softly, his wish to ease the pain.<\/p>\n

Grandma was the sweetest person I\u2019ve ever known. Though we now live in Binangonan, Rizal due to my father\u2019s work, every year, we pay a visit to my father\u2019s hometown, Marantao, to spend some time with family and relatives.<\/p>\n

It was the 31st\u00a0of January, we traveled to Marantao, and as always, Grandma couldn\u2019t contain her excitement. Grandma kept on calling Mother multiple times, asking the same thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you now? Almost there? Khaliq, is he with you?\u201d she asked. \u201cNot yet. I\u2019ll give you a call to let you know. Yes, Khaliq is here,\u201d Mother reassured her.<\/p>\n

Grandma talked to me, and as expected, she bombarded me with a lot of questions. She asked if I had found a girlfriend and if I didn\u2019t, I should find one.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must be very tall now,\u00a0ikaritan<\/em>\u00a0ko,<\/em>\u201d she told me as if I were growing an inch every night to grow that big in a span of a year. Well, I didn\u2019t. I smiled and told her how tiring it had been at school, in addition to my extracurricular activities. I had been so busy that I could barely give her a call, even during weekends.<\/p>\n

1:35 PM. We are almost there. I could feel it. The bustling city lights and polluted air began to fade away and the streets are slowly becoming quiet. I started seeing the soft, calming green of the trees with their leaves swaying gently in the breeze. And the fresh air? It smells like heaven! I could smell the refreshing scent of nature. I could feel the excitement rising inside me as we drew closer to the warmth and comfort of our home.<\/p>\n

Grandma was well-known in our community for her exceptional cooking skills. Her specialties are asked for by many people in different parts of our municipality. One time, she was even featured in local news for her mouthwatering pastil. It was our proudest moment, I can say.<\/p>\n

1:50 PM. Calls echoed from one phone to another, everything was ringing and vibrating. Grandma certainly could no longer wait to see us after an entire year. The moment I stepped outside the car, the surroundings went silent when I saw her face. Her wide, beaming smile stretched all the way to her ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaow, so ikaritan ko!<\/em>\u00a0When did you get so tall and handsome? Someone has been making you blush? Ah! I see! You\u2019re inspired! Tell me about it!\u201d Grandma told me rapidly, barely catching her breath. For a second, I thought she was a retired professional rapper in her days.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this smell?\u201d Mother asked, sniffing the air. \u201cWait\u2026 Ome,\u00a0piyaparan a badak<\/em>!?\u201d Father exclaimed, with his eyes wide open with surprise, as if he had smelled something he never had before. \u201cLet\u2019s get inside, kids,\u201d he added, his voice full of excitement, eager to devour every single dish that Grandma cooked for us.<\/p>\n

PIYAPARAN A BADAK<\/p>\n

Ingredients:<\/p>\n

500 grams of young, unripe jackfruit
\n2 tbsp. of palapa
\n200 grams of dried fish
\n1 medium onion, finely chopped
\n2 bell peppers, chopped
\n1 spring onion, chopped
\n2 bowls of coconut milk
\n1 tsp, black pepper
\n1 tsp, turmeric powder
\n1 tsp, salt
\n2 cups of shredded coconut
\n2 cups of water<\/p>\n

Procedures:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Put all the ingredients together in a cooking pot, except for the coconut milk for the first layer.<\/li>\n
  2. For the second layer, repeat the first step to ensure all ingredients are well combined.<\/li>\n
  3. Pour one bowl of coconut milk on top of the ingredients.<\/li>\n
  4. Cook for 20-30 minutes over medium heat until the jackfruit becomes soft. Make sure that it doesn\u2019t dry out.<\/li>\n
  5. After it is boiled, pour the second bowl of coconut milk.<\/li>\n
  6. Cook for another 10-20 minutes or until the jackfruit is completely cooked.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As we stood on the doorstep, Aunt Asiya, Mother\u2019s sister, welcomed us warmly. \u201cAydow<\/em>, it\u2019s been such a long time. Is this Khaliq, you\u2019re oldest?\u201d she asked with a smile. \u201cYes, but he\u2019s the youngest. You must be referring to Khalid,\u201d Mother replied. \u201cEhh, subhanallah! Yes, I remember Khalid,\u201d Aunt quickly corrected herself, laughing lightly. \u201cPardon me, I must be getting old now,\u201d she joked, shaking her head.<\/p>\n

    \u201cCan\u2019t you wait until we\u2019re seated, Asiya?\u201d Grandma teased her. \u201cI\u2019ve got plenty of questions for the family, too,\u201d she added, making everyone laugh.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIbrahim, you can put your baggage in your old room. We cleaned it the whole day, so I expect you\u2019ll be comfortable with it after all these years,\u201d Grandma explained with a proud smile.<\/p>\n

    \u201cOme, why are you making it sound like it was my first time here?\u201d replied Father with a laugh. \u201cThis is where I used to\u2013\u201d \u201cEh, karoo dn<\/em>,\u201d Grandma interrupted him before he could finish, cutting him off playfully.<\/p>\n

    Mother and I went first in the dining room and\u2026<\/p>\n

    \u201cAllahu Akbar! Ome, what\u2019s with all of these foods!\u201d Mother complained upon seeing the long table filled with various Meranaw dishes. My eyes dropped. I couldn\u2019t believe what I was seeing.\u00a0Palapa? Piaparan a badak? Tiyateg? Dodol?<\/em>\u00a0Inaluban a sda?<\/em>\u00a0It felt like we were celebrating something big.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAren\u2019t these too much, Ome? You didn\u2019t need to prepare a lot. There are only five of us,\u201d Father said in wonder, looking astonished. Grandma remained silent as she knew Mother and Father would never stop asking her about it.<\/p>\n

    \u201cUntod kano<\/em>, so that we can eat. You must be very hungry after the long travel.\u201d<\/p>\n

    I cannot choose which to eat. \u201cCan I have the\u00a0dodol<\/em>\u00a0first?\u201d I thought to myself. \u201cNo, it\u2019s too sweet. I might lose my appetite.\u201d I reluctantly put the\u00a0dodol<\/em>\u00a0back, only to find myself returning to it. I can\u2019t. I just can\u2019t resist it. The sticky texture, the sweetness\u2013 it was too perfect to be resisted! \u201cDodol<\/em>, I will never leave here without bringing some of you!\u201d I said loudly, which brought laughter to the table.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSo, how\u2019s work?\u201d Grandma asked Father, shifting the conversation. \u201cI don\u2019t know how should I put it but something has caused quite a stir in our municipality,\u201d he replied in a somber tone.<\/p>\n

    Father works as a government employee at the municipal hall. Lately, there have been rumors circulating in several barangays in our place. Reason? It didn\u2019t come as shocking to many of us, though. Even I could sense that something was wrong with the system.<\/p>\n

    With the election coming up in a few months, tarpaulins were being put up here and there. They were literally plastered everywhere. Some people were excited about it because of the money they would get from different candidates. To us, it was yet another round of choosing leaders who can actually lead the people into betterment but have 0.5% of winning.<\/p>\n

    We couldn\u2019t deny it. Some people are just blind, deaf, and allergic to good governance grounded in integrity, accountability, and transparency. They prefer short-term happiness without considering the long-term consequences of their thirst for money that can never be extinguished. They exchange small sums of pennies with years-long of bad governance.<\/p>\n

    And when these candidates manage to get a seat and act foolishly, these fanatics who blindly support them will either speak ill about them OR remain silent as they can blame no one but themselves.<\/p>\n

    PALAPA<\/p>\n

    Ingredients:<\/p>\n

    2 kg\u00a0sakurab<\/em>, sliced
    \n4\u00a0pcs ginger, sliced
    \n4\u00a0tbsp chili\u00a0pepper
    \n1 tbsp salt
    \n1 \u00bd cup\u00a0cooking oil
    \n2\u00a0bulbs garlic,\u00a0chopped<\/p>\n

    Procedures:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Using a mortar and pestle, crush\u00a0sakurab<\/em>, ginger, and chili peppers together.<\/li>\n
    2. When everything is crushed, add cooking oil to a cooking pan over medium heat.<\/li>\n
    3. Add chopped garlic and cook until fragrant.<\/li>\n
    4. Add the\u00a0sakurab<\/em>\u00a0mixture.<\/li>\n
    5. Stir it from time to time to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pan. Keep stirring for 15-20 minutes until it changes color.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u201cWhat do you want to be in the future?\u201d Grandma asked out of curiosity as she chopped the\u00a0sakurab<\/em>\u00a0and ginger. \u201cI want to become a politician,\u201d I replied, watching her intently as she worked on the palapa.<\/p>\n

      Grandma paused for a moment, her knife still in mid-air. \u201cI thought you hated politics?\u201d she added, her eyebrows slightly contracted.<\/p>\n

      I nodded. She\u2019s right. I do hate politics of all things. It is dirty\u2014 full of lies, deception, corruption, you name it. My voice faltered a bit, but I was determined to get my point across.<\/p>\n

      \u201cI can\u2019t just let it continue to be dirty. I want to make a positive change in our community. I want to make a difference in how things are done.\u201d<\/p>\n

      \u201cWhat do you think you can do if ever you become one?\u201d Grandma continued, setting her knife down carefully. She looked at me warmly. \u201cDo you think you can change it?\u201d she asked thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

      I pondered. What could I really do? If I hate them because they are barely doing their responsibilities, do I also have what it takes to change a system that has been corrupt for so long?<\/p>\n

      My mind was racing. I thought about all of these politicians in our community who promised change but never delivered, how power was abused for selfish reasons, and how the poor were left to suffer while the elite continued to thrive.<\/p>\n

      I stared at the chopping board, my mind working through every possibility. \u201cI don\u2019t know. But I think if I had the chance, I\u2019d focus on the people. Not on power, not on prestige, but on the people. I\u2019d work to make sure that the promises made aren\u2019t just words\u2014they\u2019d be real. I want to help the poor, build better education systems, improve healthcare, and ensure that everyone can enjoy the freedom and rights they are entitled to.\u201d<\/p>\n

      Grandma watched me quietly as I crushed the ingredients altogether. \u201cYou\u2019re not wrong,\u201d she said softly. \u201cBut you must remember that change doesn\u2019t come easy. It won\u2019t happen overnight, and it won\u2019t be without challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

      \u201cI know,\u201d I said, my voice steady but filled with uncertainty. \u201cBut if no one tries, nothing will ever change. I don\u2019t want to sit back and complain like everyone else. I want to be part of the solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

      Grandma smiled then, a deep, knowing smile that seemed to reflect both pride and concern. \u201cNaow so ikaritan ko<\/em>. You really have grown a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

      She said I have the heart and mind, but politics can be a heavy burden. I have to be prepared for the sacrifices, for the compromises. \u201cBut if your heart remains true to your purpose, then it will guide you. Never lose sight of why you started,\u201d she added while stirring the mixture continuously.<\/p>\n

      I nodded slowly. The steady and rhythmic sound of the ladle against the pan echoed throughout the kitchen. \u201cWell then,\u201d Grandma said, breaking the silence, \u201cif you want to make a difference, you\u2019d better learn the ropes. You can\u2019t change the world sitting on the sidelines.\u201d<\/p>\n

      I smiled, knowing she was right. “I\u2019ll learn. One step at a time.” Grandma\u2019s eyes twinkled. \u201cGood. And don\u2019t forget the most important thing: Always stay grounded. Never forget where you came from, and always listen to the voices of the people. They\u2019ll tell you everything you need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

      APANG<\/p>\n

      Ingredients:<\/p>\n

      2 \u00bd kg of rice, ground
      \n2 cups of coconut milk
      \n2 cups of water
      \n2 \u00bd cups sugar
      \n1 tbsp of baking powder
      \n3 large eggs<\/p>\n

      Procedures:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Soak the rice in water before grinding it for 3-4 hours.<\/li>\n
      2. Mix the ground rice with all the other ingredients, then leave it overnight or for 6-7 hours.<\/li>\n
      3. Heat the pan and grease it with oil (for better taste, you can use a mixture of eggs and oil).<\/li>\n
      4. Add the rice mixture in a circular motion to form its shape.<\/li>\n
      5. Wait for 2-3 minutes. Once the top of the mixture is cooked, remove it from the pan.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The sun has risen unusually brightly today. The morning breeze was cool and refreshing. It seemed like it was not just me enjoying the fresh air; the trees seemed to be enjoying it too, swaying gently as if dancing with the soft blow of the wind.<\/p>\n

        A delicious smell escaped from the corners of the kitchen, filling the air with a mouthwatering scent that was both buttery and creamy at the same time. I quickly turned my head, unable to resist whatever Aunt and Grandma were preparing.<\/p>\n

        From a distance, I could hear the faint sizzle of something cooking on the stove. As I approached the kitchen, the aroma grew stronger\u2014there was no mistaking it. Grandma must be making her top-tier\u00a0apang<\/em>\u00a0again. The sweet scent of her cooking always seemed to make the world feel a little brighter as if the whole day could only get better from here.<\/p>\n

        \u201cMapiya kapipita<\/em>, Grandma!\u201d I greeted her cheerfully. As usual, she replied to me with a big, warm smile. \u201cAre you making\u00a0apang<\/em>?!\u201d I shouted in excitement. \u201cI knew it. I knew it was\u00a0apang<\/em>\u00a0just by the smell!\u201d<\/p>\n

        Grandma chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling. \u201cYes, it\u2019s apang. You have a good nose,\u00a0ikaritan ko<\/em>. Go, and wake your Father and Mother and tell them the breakfast is ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

        I shook my head and hurried to the bedroom, with my excitement growing with every step. As I entered, I saw them already making their beds and preparing our things. \u201cGrandma\u2019s almost done with the\u00a0apang<\/em>! It smells so good, you won\u2019t believe it!\u201d I said brightly.<\/p>\n

        \u201cWe know, son. We can smell it from here,\u201d Father replied. \u201cWe\u2019ll go downstairs in a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

        I rushed back to the kitchen and saw Grandma wiping her hands on her apron. \u201cWhere are they?\u201d she asked. \u201cAsiya, can you bring the native coffee here?\u201d<\/p>\n

        I told Grandma that Mother was already packing. We might have to go back today as Father was summoned to the municipal hall due to an urgent matter.<\/p>\n

        \u201cYou\u2019ll have to leave, then?\u201d Grandma asked, her voice tinged with concern. \u201cI guess so, Ome. We were planning to stay a little bit longer but I guess it can\u2019t be helped,\u201d Father replied, giving her a gentle smile. \u201cIt\u2019s important. But don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll make sure to stay longer next time. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

        Aunt Asiya, who had been quietly sitting at the table, spoke up. \u201cWell, I guess we can\u2019t stop you. But you better come back for another round of\u00a0kandori-<\/em>like preparation.\u201d She winked at me playfully.<\/p>\n

        Grandma laughed softly, shaking her head. \u201cIf only we had more time, I\u2019d make sure you ate your fill. But for now, have some breakfast. After that, you may go and take care of things, Ibrahim.\u201d My father nodded, his expression softening as he stood up. \u201cThank you, Ome.\u201d<\/p>\n

        While we were eating, Grandma stood first to prepare the extra food she\u2019d been wanting us to take home\u2013\u00a0piyaparan a bakas, dodol, palapa<\/em>, and\u00a0biyaring<\/em>.<\/p>\n

        As we made our way out the door, there was a combination of melancholy and happiness. I saw Grandma for the last time. Her lips curved up gently as if the smile was trying to hold back tears. There was a softness in her eyes, a sparkle that hinted at happiness, but beneath it was an unspoken sadness.<\/p>\n

        My thoughts still linger on the comforting warmth of Grandma\u2019s kitchen, and the way her laughter always made everything feel bright. Even though we were leaving for now, I knew that we would come back, soon.<\/p>\n

        But\u2026<\/p>\n

        where do we return now that\u2026<\/p>\n

        Grandma has peacefully rested?<\/p>\n

        The food she prepared wasn\u2019t just to fill the stomach; it was to fill our hearts and minds with memories worthy of remembering.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Joross Michael D. Bongcarawan Beep\u2026 beep\u2026 beep\u2026 beeeeeeppppp\u2026 The rhythmic pulse on the monitor disappeared, replaced by an unbroken flat line, signaling the end. \u201cTime of death, 5:20 AM,\u201d the doctor pronounced. \u201cDoc, what\u2019s happening?\u201d exclaimed Mother with her voice … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fiction"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4884"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4885,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4884\/revisions\/4885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bangsamororeview.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}