By Hyacinth Empinado
Going through the pandemic while pregnant has left me longing for some creature comforts. When the going got tough, I found myself seeking out things from my childhood in Cebu. I craved Filipino food, videos and music. Hearing Tagalog and Bisaya just wrapped me in warm fuzzies, and soothed my hormonal 30-something psyche. So when Trish asked me to write a blog post, I thought I would share some of the things that have kept me going.
Ginaling and Nilatang baboy
These dishes really take me back to my childhood. When I was in elementary school, my mom used to bring my sister and I homemade lunches. Some of my favorites were ginaling (ground pork simmered in tomato sauce with peas, carrots and tomatoes) and nilatang baboy (boiled pork soup). We parked under a huge acacia tree, and they were sometimes joined by my friends. My mom would pack the food in stainless steel containers and serve the dishes piping hot with white rice (of course). So much yum!
Hilaw na Mangga (Green Mango)
In the Philippines, green mangoes are akin to pickles — many women crave them when they’re pregnant. I am no exception. It’s also one of my favorite foods. I always bought them when the mango man made the rounds at school. Sometimes my mom would buy a kilo, and the whole family would have them as an after-dinner snack while we watched soap operas. Many people prefer them with bagoong, fermented shrimp paste, but I think they’re just perfect with a little bit of salt.
Filipino Music
When September hit, I couldn’t help but listen to Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas in Our Hearts.” I’m usually pretty adamant that Christmas music should only be enjoyed in December, but I was feeling pretty nostalgic. Listening to this gave me all the warm fuzzies and really hit the spot.
I’ve also been enjoying some OPM (original pilipino/pinoy music). I keep going back to KZ Tandingan’s Wish bus rendition of Isang Linggong Pag-ibig (originally sung by the legendary Imelda Papin). When I just want to sit back and relax. I listen to Janine Berdin and Joanna Ang’s Bisaya song Bulalakaw. These songs take me back to a simpler time and make me feel like I’m back home in Cebu.
Toni Gonzaga’s Toni Talks
I’ve been glued to Toni Gonzaga’s Toni Talks on YouTube. I’ve learned so much about the big names I grew up watching on TV. She’s talked to many of my role models growing up like journalist-turned-politician Loren Legarda, newscaster Ces Drilon and media mogul Charo Santos-Concio. As a multimedia producer, it was interesting to me to see how these women progressed in their careers and tackled challenges in their work. If you want to learn more about what drives certain Filipino celebrities and politicians, her show is worth checking out!