In Asia, it is traditional to greet a guest with the asking of "Have you eaten yet?" This is followed by preparing the best of whatever can be found in the household, to be offered.
I just returned from a short mission to the Philippines. In the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters in Molo, Iloilo City, this meant (for me a vegetarian), the going out into the chicken over-run garden and picking some fresh potato leaves to be prepared with an onion perhaps, a tomato and garlic in a soup base. For others, it meant choice dried fish ("uga") or native bihon noodles prepared with pork, chicken, sausage and more.
One of the dishes I most enjoyed was "kalo-kalo" for breakfast. One may think, "That is simply fried rice!" But, in the Philippines, we get the rice fresh from our farm. It is an art (and fear) to watch the gas stove being lit, the oil from a large "Baguio Oil" can being poured into the "kalahat" (wok), and the garlic cloves being smashed with the wooden pounder, then put jumping, into the seering oil. The farm-fragrant rice (speckled with black-- seeds, as the rice wasn't able to dry thoroughly before the rains came) then being added, and skillfully swished around, so as not to stick to the pan. A pinch or two of sea salt from the bin, iron-chef seals the flavor in, before we say..."Bless us O Lord, and this our daily rice...Grant that it may always sustain us in Your holy service...Amen." Welcome to the Philippines!
Pictures: Postulants, novices, temporary and perpetual professed Sisters helped in the making of a gingerbread village, popcorn balls and the baking of Christmas treats!
Contributor: Sr. Malia Dominica Wong, O.P.
