Sublimity in print.

A Filipino Table on Noche Buena

It’s that time of the year again. After nine consecutive votive masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the form of Simbang Gabi, Christmas Eve has finally arrived. Completing those nine masses does not mean my wish will be fulfilled, as our Filipino culture tends to believe so, but I sure do wish to eat a lot of good meals after the midnight mass of Christmas Eve. I couldn’t help but think of those Filipino dishes being paraded on their own runway: the table.  

Lechon. Of course, who wouldn’t want to have that big boy on the table? Oh, I can’t help it. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. That whole roasted pig with that crispy, slippery skin. I could think of it for the rest of this day—that crunch as I grind that savory piece, my teeth pounding those satisfying cracklers. I wonder if I could focus on the Mass later on if the thought of lechon goes on to consume my mind. Well, anyway, I’ll be the one consuming lechon later on.

Sweet and savory, sticky and glazed, chewy and soft. Thank goodness Hamon exists. Oh, that diabetes-causing sweetness I crave so much. Unique because it is a party of flavors done in awesome chemistry. The sweet glaze, the savory element, and the meatiness. I could not resist this ball of flavors. And, yes, pair it with quality queso de bola. This iconic duo in a Filipino Noche Buena is not something that should be absent.

Pancit. Yes, the most common dish in most, if not all, celebrations done in a Filipino context. The fastest and easiest to prepare. The cheapest, perhaps? Oh, yes, if compared to other complicated dishes. But I guess it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a cheap, five-star quality food. You wouldn’t want to miss it on your midnight table.

Simbang Gabi. Liturgy that gathers families in anticipation of Christmas. An event that renders the church an attraction for vendors. Mass goers know that an array of rice cakes are on display, preying on hungry stomachs. I’d forget the liturgical abuses done during Simbang Gabi, such as caroling inside the Mass and the choir singing songs not liturgical in nature, if one throws a lot of bibingka into my mouth. Well, let’s not associate it with Simbang Gabi only. I, for one, would want one sack of it dropped on the midnight table!

These foods are what I think of when Noche Buena is spoken of. Forgive me for setting aside the spirit of Christmas and talking exclusively about food. Oh, wait. Filipinos love food; food is in Noche Buena, and Noche Buena is about our Christmas celebration. Therefore, what I am speaking of still aligns with the spirit of Christmas. And so, from my table to yours, Merry Christmas!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lamb-mule Dane

Lamb-mule is a student in the program Literary and Cultural Studies with Creative Writing. He is fond of reading books, mostly fictitious works.

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