Food is a very important part of Filipino lifestyle and really is the best way to learn about the

extremely deep and diverse culture within the Philippines! Filipino food is very much so
indicative of the history of the country. By eating a Spanish/Filipino dish you can see the large
influence that colonization had on this island country, in contrast by eating the Filipino dishes of
the late 1800’s you can see a reemergence of Filipino ideas, Filipino recipe, and culinary
traditions after the Spanish invaders were driven into the sea. Other influences from a variety of
countries can be seen appearing and disappearing from Filipino Culinary traditions as they
fought for their culture and their freedom. Today we are presented with one of the most colorful
of Asian food selections that display an amalgamation of cultures, but are dominantly Filipino to
its deepest roots.

Let me mention to you some of the most popular Filipino dishes:

1. Adobo
2. Sinigang
3. Sisig
4. Nilagang Baboy

Well there's no doubt that these are also my favorite food. These foods doesn't only satisfies us
when we are hungry. This food also helps us to express our feelings. Everytime my parents
cook nilagang baboy, I felt their hard works and it drives me to work harder and wiser as a
payment for all of their sacrifices for me.

With the dawn of technological advance, traditions are being replaced with the convenience of
modern living. Nowadays, food preparation has become something too bothersome to worry
over. Microwavables and ready-to-eat meals are the way to go especially in the busy lifestyle of
the people, like some who hold two jobs to keep up with the expenses. Gone are the days when
food preparation was a tradition. It has become a meaningless process most especially for the
people in the cities.

It is true that modernization is God's gift to mankind. Everything has become so simple and
effortless. Food cooked in minutes rather than hours, people can communicate to each other all
over the world with just a press of a button and so many more. The advantages of improvement
are undeniable. Yet, when it comes down to the basics, we must think; is it really worth it? Does
this so-called improvement really improve the people I am with as well as myself? Is what we
are giving up or paying for the price of modernization worth it?

Personally, I find that some things are meant to be forever. There may be changes and yet the
basic essence can remain the same. People who dwell in the modern world, living a modern life
have forgotten what really matters. Custom and traditions make a country what who they are.
The personality of each and everyone is molded by the way they are brought up or according to
what belief the parents have reflects on their children. Modernization takes away the tradition
that has been passed on from parent to child.

Yes, we Pinoys did get crushed, we were stepped on but then we have managed to make the
most out of our situation. All those oppressors left a mark on us, which we accepted and turned
to our advantage, very much like the effect of stomping does on the bagoong.
What we eat makes us what we are. It sounds kind of funny to think of eating this way. If France
can eat steak that makes them feel their power, or drink wine, Filipinos must also have
something that shows the world what they are. The bagoong, mashed shrimp that doesn't really
look appealing, tells the world of its history. The many culinary dishes made up of so many
different things show that even if we are all have diverse cultures and have so many differences,
we Filipinos can still make something great together as one country. We may have Muslims in
the South and Christians in Manila and Aborigines up in the north, but one thing is for sure. We
are all Filipinos and no matter what, we are united as one people. How we prepare our food
reflects our culture and tradition, even if modern technology is taking the place of so many
things, our basic core is still the same. We should be proud of what we have achieved.