A coffee table book documenting Antique’s customary beliefs on food preparation was unveiled as part of the 1st Antique Business Exchange and Kapatid Mentor Me Provincial Congress in this capital town on Monday.
Advance Central College (ACC) president, Dr. Mary Rose Gemma Rodriguez, conceptualized the one-of-a-kind “Culinary Heritage of Antique” coffee table book 10 years ago. The actual research commenced only four years ago in collaboration with her students and several gatekeepers of traditional culinary.
“The book contains traditional rituals and ceremonies surrounding food preparation that play a pivotal role in preserving culinary heritage practices in Antique,” she said during the launch.
She said traditional healers, who use food in bringing forth various benefits such as healing, prosperity, and fortification of spirits, were among those interviewed.
She added that traditional healers have long been integral to the local culture because Antiqueños believe that food is more than just sustenance.
In the municipality of Sebaste, “Ginat-an nga Tambo nga may Patuyaw” (bamboo shoots and river shrimp in coconut milk) contains vegetables in the backyard. Although considered a daily dish, people believe that during the cooking process, nothing should spill out of the pot because the bad spirit “Angul” will choke the cook or anyone inside the house who has no strong willpower.
Also, in the same municipality, a traditional healer would usually ask families to perform “Mikaw” or to cook together “Nilaga nga Manok” (boiled stuffed chicken), “Piripinais” (glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves), and “Biribingka” (sweetened glutinous rice in banana leaves) to facilitate healing of a family member.
In the municipality of Patnongon, the traditional healer performs “tugbong” using conically shaped sticky rice, usually requested by the parents of children four to seven years old, to boost their child’s health and keep bad spirits away.
“Gatekeepers emphasize the importance of preserving the symbolic elements in culinary practices as they serve as tangible expressions of identity and heritage,” Rodriguez said
The 151-page culinary book aims to relieve the chefs of old kitchens and family gatherings to remind about Antique’s rich culinary legacy.
First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, in a video message, congratulated Rodriguez and all the cooks who collaborated in coming up with the book.
The First Lady said that the book is another milestone towards development, particularly in culinary, in the country.
Superintendent Nicasio Frio, of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique, also received a copy of the book from Rodriguez during the ceremonial turnover for public school learners. (PNA)
