A Korean student of mine has taken a holiday to the Philippines. I’ve never been. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to travel there and enjoy a vacation. The inspiration from photos and videos he has been sending me are impressive!
The Philippines is located in Southeast Asia, on the eastern rim of the Asiatic Mediterranean. It is bounded in the west by the South China Sea; in the east by the Pacific Ocean; in the south by the Sulu and Celebes Seas; and in the north by the Bashi Channel.
The Philippines is a great country to visit, and it’s also home to world-renowned natural wonders like an underground river and rice terraces, incredible diving spots rich in biodiversity, colorful public transportation in the Philippines, unique cuisine, vibrant festivals that showcase its colorful culture, and friendly locals.
Once the Chinese came in the 16th century their food staples and traditions were built-into the Philippines diet. Since many of them were workers and traders, simple yet satisfying numbers like pancit, spring rolls, and congee easily made it to everyone’s daily meals. Soy sauce, tofu, and bean sprouts were also added as supermarket staples.
However, over the centuries, food has become a simmering vat of indigenous produce and local flavours from different ethno-linguistic groups have been cooked and seasoned with foreign influences. No wonder visitors love it.
The Philippines is called Asia's pearl of the orient for the richness of its culture and the beauty of its landscape. It is home to centuries old churches, turn of the century mansions, ancient forts and modern museums. The Philippines is an archipelago comprising 7,100 islands.
Take care!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Pancit (n) = (in Filipino cooking) noodles, or a dish made with noodles. "It goes well on a bed of pancit."
Congee (n) = (in Chinese cooking) broth or porridge made from rice.
Staples (adj) = main, chief, principal, essential, primary, basic
Vat (n) = container, cask, barrel, tank, drum, tub, bin, silo, basket
Archipelago (n) = group of islands