When the Filipino is down or happy, he sings. That’s how karaoke and the Filipino become one in the mind of the world—a people born …
When the Filipino is down or happy, he sings. That’s how karaoke and the Filipino become one in the mind of the world—a people born to sing. In this pandemic, however, the Filipino has developed another form of love expression—indeed, a form of solidarity against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Food. Food has become the survival tool of Filipinos after many—too many to count—have lost or are losing their jobs and businesses. As if by reflex, many a home gets its kitchen churning out dishes, baking breads and desserts. In this pandemic, food—cooking or baking—is the pushback of a people who don’t really complain a lot, certainly are not violent or given to revolt. We can suffer and cook at the same time, perhaps sing a song or two later. It’s not to say that’s something to emulate or perpetuate. That’s just the way it is. Resilience is in our DNA, programmed by centuries of exposures to scoundrels. For those to whom survival is not an issue, cooking and baking—utilizing one’s hands and palate—have become the stress-busters.
