Module 9: Philippine Food/
Sama-sama Magsalu-salo 

written by Darren Sana, Pia Arboleda, and Angeli Callo

Background

Learners will be introduced to the background and diversity of the Philippine food landscape which exhibits influences from the country’s geography, history, as well as the various indigenous groups found in the country. Afterwards, there will be a discussion on the concept of “salu-salo” and “boodle fight” which emphasizes the value of community specially when surrounding a shared meal. 

Motivating Activity

In this activity, students will be introduced to Filipino food. There will be a discussion that draws on personal experiences and assumptions about the cuisine. This will be explored further by having them imagine a scenario where they are a part of a Filipino party.
1. Teacher asks: 
                a. Are you familiar with Philippine food? Have you tried Filipino food? If yes, when and where? Did you like it or not? Why/Why not? If not, look up Filipino food on google and share what you found
                b. Common examples and misconceptions:
                        Filipino food is oily, salty, or unhealthy
                        Everything is fried
                        Filipinos eat balut (duck egg), black dog, and dinuguan ("chocolate meat')
                 c. Wha do you think of these misconceptions? Does this coincide or not with your experience of Filipino food?

2. Demonstrate:
                 a. Why do you think we understand Filipino food this way?
                     We are socialized into believing these concepts because we might have heard it from parents, friends, and posts on social media.
                 b. Imagine a Filipino party and describe it. What do you hear, see, smell?
                 c. If you haven't been to a Filipino party, please listen to the stories of your peers and share if you have any similar experience in your own culture.    

Processing Activity

In this activity, students will be given a brief background on the Filipino food landscape and how this shows the Philippine worldview. ​
1. Teacher briefly lectures about the following:
​                a. Philippine food landscape
                    i. What does the geography of the Philippines look like and how does this affect the food landscape? Emphasize that the Philippines has both coastal and mountain regions.
                    ii. Discuss the different indigenous groups present in the Philippines and give examples of how they treat food differently in their tribes. See examples below:
               b. kinilaw (Philosophy)
                    i. Explain the concept of restraint in the presence of abundance and how this kind of philosophy relates to "fresh food" like the kinilaw
                   ii. Explain different regional variations of Kinilaw/Kilawin and relate this to the geographic landscape of the Philippines. 
               c. Start discussion on the importance of Rice in the Philippine community.
               d. Discuss the outside influences that helped shape Filipino food today.
                   i. Spanish, Chinese, Malay, etc.
2. Teacher plays the following videos on Philippine cuisine.  3. Guide Questions:
        a. What do you think makes Philippine cuisine unique?
            i. How can you make a Filipino version of any recipe? Can you think of examples?
            ii. What is the difference between Philippine cuisine in comparison to a cuisine you are more familiar with (Spanish, Chinese, etc.) based on the three videos you just watched?

Culminating Activity

​Taking the lesson a step further, this activity will show how the concept of eating in the Philippines is a social activity. It is indicative of the strong sense of community that can be found in different parts of the archipelago.
1. Teacher discusses the following concepts:
            a. Salu-salo: What is salu-salo?
                i.  Salu-salo from the root word salu is a form of gathering involving food to share or usually in celebration of an event or a specific achievement; to honor a person or persons; cater to a specific event to indulge in food and treasure each other's company.
            b. What is Boodle fight?
                i. It is a form of salu-salo that usually involves no utensils and the traditional Filipino way of eating using your hands: also known as kamayan.
                ii. A combination of dishes (ulam) is usually scattered and spread out evenly on top of rice using layers of banana leaves as a form of plato or plates. 
               iii. You may also have small bowls on the side for sawsawan and fruits on the other side paired with the dish while eating Filipino style. 

Language Component: My favorite food

___________ ang paborito kong pagkain. (My favorite food is ________ )

Masarap ang ___________.  (The ____ is delicious.)
If you were given the responsibility of preparing a salu-salo for any occasion (ex: Christmas dinner or Graduation party. You may choose any occasion you like), how would you do it?

Consider the following factors:
  1. What is the occasion?
  2. Who are you inviting?
  3. Would you do the salu-salo in the traditional Filipino style? If not, what kind of style?
  4. What dishes are you going to prepare?
  5. What ingredients are you going to use? where will you purchase them from?
  6. Think of a fun activity to make the party enjoyable and tell class about it. 
  7. Write a two-paged essay about this assignment.

Guide Questions:
  1. What is the importance of food in creating a sense of community?
  2. Reflect on your own experiences. What role does food play in your life, your community?

Enrichment Activity

Read the following article and reflect on the following questions:
  1. How can the study of food and preservation of practices surrounding it help the community preserve and document indigenous knowledge?
Write a short essay about your fondest food memory:
  • What did you hear?
  • What did the food look like?
  • What did it smell like?
  • How did it taste?
  • What did it feel like?
  • What was the occasion?
  • Who were there with you?
Use at least 3-5 Filipino words you have learned so far.

Resources/Books

Palayok - Doreen Fernandez