Filipino Food Month celebration

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

April is Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino.

April is declared as the Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 469 that was signed in 2018.

The national celebration aims to appreciate, preserve, promote, and ensure the transmission of the vast Filipino culinary traditions and treasures to the future generation. Let's dive into the mouthwatering and diverse dishes of this tropical paradise.

Filipino Food Month also supports various industries, farmers, and agri-communities.

Let's commemorate the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines, we recognize the significance of food in fostering community building and connection. 

Happy Filipino Food Month!

Filipino Food Month is an annual celebration that honors the rich and diverse culinary traditions of the Philippines. This month-long celebration, which takes place every April, aims to showcase the unique flavors, ingredients, and techniques that make Filipino cuisine stand out in the world.

The history of Filipino cuisine is a fascinating one. It is a reflection of the country's complex history and diverse cultural influences. The Philippines was a melting pot of different cultures long before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, and Indian traders had established trade links with the islands centuries before the Spanish arrived. The Spanish colonial period brought in a new set of culinary traditions, with dishes like adobo, cocido, and caldereta becoming popular. The American colonial period brought in new ingredients like canned goods, ketchup, and mayonnaise.

Filipino cuisine is known for its bold flavors, colorful presentation, and use of fresh ingredients. Some of the most popular dishes include adobo, sinigang, lechon, kare-kare, pancit, and lumpia. Adobo is a savory and tangy stew made with chicken, pork, or beef, marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves. Sinigang is a sour soup made with tamarind, tomato, onions, and a variety of meats or seafood. Lechon is a roasted pig that is often the centerpiece of festive celebrations. Kare-kare is a peanut-based stew made with oxtail, beef, or tripe, and a variety of vegetables. Pancit is a stir-fried noodle dish that comes in many varieties, including bihon, canton, and palabok. Lumpia is a Filipino version of a spring roll, usually filled with a mixture of vegetables and meat.

Filipino Food Month is an opportunity to explore the many flavors of Filipino cuisine. Many restaurants and food establishments offer special menus or promotions during this time, featuring traditional Filipino dishes and flavors. There are also food festivals and events held in different parts of the country, showcasing the diversity of Filipino cuisine.

The celebration of Filipino Food Month is not just about food, but also about the cultural significance of Filipino cuisine. Food plays a central role in Filipino culture, bringing people together and creating a sense of community. Many Filipino dishes are associated with specific occasions, such as lechon for fiestas, bibingka for Christmas, and pancit for birthdays. By celebrating Filipino food, we are also celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines.

In recent years, Filipino cuisine has gained recognition and popularity around the world. Filipino chefs and restaurateurs are making a name for themselves in the international culinary scene, showcasing the unique flavors and techniques of Filipino cuisine. Filipino Food Month is an opportunity to support and promote Filipino food and culture, and to raise awareness about the diversity and richness of Filipino cuisine.

In conclusion, Filipino Food Month is an annual celebration of the rich and diverse culinary traditions of the Philippines. It is an opportunity to explore the many flavors of Filipino cuisine, to celebrate the cultural significance of food in Filipino culture, and to support and promote Filipino food and culture. As we celebrate Filipino Food Month, let us take pride in the unique flavors, ingredients, and techniques that make Filipino cuisine stand out in the world.

Dolly De Leon and what the Triangle of Sadness term origin

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Triangle of Sadness film, which won the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, and even got Dolly De Leon nominated for a Golden Globe, is a satirical black comedy set against the world of fashion and the uber-rich in which we get a glimpse of social hierarchies, gender-based power dynamics, conflicting political ideologies, financial inequality, and race power structures.

Ruben Östlund’s wickedly funny Palme d’Or #WINNER, social hierarchy is turned upside down, revealing the tawdry relationship between power and beauty. What first appeared instagrammable ends catastrophically.

Filipina actor Dolly De Leon got one of her biggest ever parts in the widely acclaimed movie "Triangle of Sadness." She plays Abigail, a cleaning lady on a luxury cruise who takes orders from Paula, the head of crew. 

Unfortunately, she did not win the Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

But she made history as the first-ever Filipino to be nominated for a Golden Globe and BAFTA for her performance as Captain Abigail in ‘Triangle of Sadness’ and also won a FAMAS award for her performance in ‘Verdict’ in 2020.

Though, to recognize her invaluable contribution to the Philippine Film Industry, the FDCP is set to give the Annual Achievement Award to Dolly De Leon, along with others (Soliman Cruz and Martika Escobar) at the "Parangal ng Sining" which will be held on April 23 in Seda Hotel.

“Parangal ng Sining” (Honor of the Arts) is FDCP’s initiative to recognize Filipino filmmakers, artists, and institutions who continue to achieve and work for excellence, leading to acclaim in international film festivals across the globe.

Dolly De Leon has already wrapped filming her scenes in 2 of her Hollywood projects

• ‘Grand Death Lotto’ with Simu Liu, Awkwafina, and John Cena dir. Paul Feig

• ‘Between The Temples’ with Jason Schwartzman

She is raring to work with screen superstar Kathryn Bernardo in their recently announced Star Cinema film "A Very Good Girl."

“Kinikilig ako kasi galing na galing ako kay Kathryn. She’s really a very good actress. Napakahusay niya, at saka napakabuting tao. I’m so flattered and I’m really excited to work with her.”

"The Triangle of Sadness" is real-world term for the area between the eyebrows and the very top of the nose bridge. 

From high atop Mt. Privilege, the uber-rich prove just how absurd and clueless they are. And yes Gwyneth, if those Prada boots fit, wear ‘em! But when the super-yacht goes down, it’s the lowly “toilet lady” who schools the assholes in power. 

The "Triangle of Sadness" is a term used in the equestrian world to describe a specific area on a horse's head where excess skin and fatty tissue can accumulate. This area is located between the horse's eyes and just above the bridge of their nose, forming a triangle-shaped depression. Although it may seem like a minor anatomical feature, the Triangle of Sadness can actually have significant implications for a horse's health and well-being.

The Triangle of Sadness is not unique to any particular breed of horse and can occur in both males and females. It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic factors, such as the shape of the horse's skull, as well as environmental factors, such as diet and exercise. Horses that are overweight or obese are more likely to develop excess fatty tissue in this area, as are horses that are not exercised regularly or that spend long periods of time standing in a stall or paddock.

While the Triangle of Sadness may not pose an immediate threat to a horse's health, it can be a sign of underlying issues that should be addressed. Excess fatty tissue in this area can put pressure on the horse's nasal passages and sinuses, leading to breathing difficulties and other respiratory issues. It can also be a sign of an imbalance in the horse's diet or an underlying metabolic disorder, such as insulin resistance or Cushings disease.

In addition to the physical implications, the Triangle of Sadness can also have emotional implications for horses. Horses are highly social animals that rely on facial expressions and body language to communicate with one another. A horse with a deep Triangle of Sadness may be seen as less attractive or less desirable by other horses, which can lead to social isolation and a decreased quality of life.

Fortunately, there are several steps that horse owners can take to prevent or address the Triangle of Sadness. The most important step is to ensure that the horse is receiving a balanced and appropriate diet, with the right balance of forage, grains, and supplements. Regular exercise, both under saddle and through turnout, can also help prevent excess fatty tissue from accumulating in this area. In some cases, veterinary intervention may be necessary to address underlying health issues or to surgically remove excess tissue.

In conclusion, the Triangle of Sadness is a unique anatomical feature of horses that can have significant implications for their health and well-being. Horse owners should be aware of this area and take steps to prevent or address excess fatty tissue in this area. By doing so, they can help ensure that their horses remain healthy, happy, and thriving for years to come.

The Triangle of Sadness is a thoroughly entertaining, delightfully wicked fable about structures of power that are only one shipwreck away from going belly up. A perfect parable for an age of excess.

The movie is an impressive satirical drama that takes aim at the super rich and has strong language, sex, drinking, and smoking.

UPD-CS scientists feted for pioneering genomics research in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




UP Scientists feted for pioneering genomics work
(From L-R) PGC Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma, DOST Undersecretary Dr. Leah Buendia, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum, DOH Director of Epidemiology Bureau Dr. Alethea De Guzman, and DA Biotech Program Office Director Dr. Claro Mingala discuss the latest developments in Philippine genomics. (Photo credit: Shedy Masayon, UPD-CS SciComm)

From shedding light on mythological creatures to helping fight crime, the Philippine-led study of the basic building blocks of life has come a very
long way. Ever since the inception of the country’s genomics program in 2009, scientists from the University of the Philippines Diliman – College of Science (UPD-CS) have been advancing the country’s genomics research in many surprising ways.


UPD-CS scientists lead the way

Major outbreaks worldwide, such as dengue, SARS, and H1N1, brought the Philippines to realize the vital role of genomic research in predicting, diagnosing, and treating diseases before they spread to a greater degree.

In the same year that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) set the country's genomics agenda, UP established the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), which aims to improve the quality of the lives of Filipinos through
genomics-focused multidisciplinary research. PGC was founded by four scientists, two of whom are from the UPD-CS: Dr. Gisela Concepcion of the Marine Science Institute (MSI) and Dr. Cynthia Saloma of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB), who also currently serves as the Center’s Executive Director.

UPD-CS scientists also helm the PGC’s Executive Committee: Institute of Biology’s (IB’s) Dr. Neil Andrew Bascos, Director of the Protein, Proteomics, and Metabolomics Facility, and Dr. Michael Velarde, Director of the Biobank Core Facility; and Natural Science Research Institute’s
(NSRI’s) Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria, Director of Biodiversity, Ethnicity, and Forensics.


Genomics in justice, mythology, and beyond

In DOST’s recent press conference, "From Labs to Lives: Impact of DOST-led Genomics Program in PH,” held on April 14 at the PGC, UPD-CS scientists presented and discussed the significant milestones and progress that the Philippines’ genomics program has achieved over the last decade.

In particular, Dr. De Ungria showcased the NSRI DNA Analysis Laboratory’s locally-developed sexual assault investigation kit (SAIK) that doctors can use to facilitate justice for victims. The event also highlighted advances in understanding and testing for dystonia parkinsonism, a rare genetic disease thought to be the basis for the “aswang” creatures of Philippine mythology. The speakers also touched on new studies in improving the breed and stock of Philippine cows implemented by the Philippine Carabao Center.

The event was capped by the unveiling of the PGC’s new Protein, Proteomics, and Metabolomics Facility (PPMF) that will enable the Center to further its research into the effects and end-products of genes’ functions in the body.

Filipino researchers have vastly expanded genomics applications in health care in the Philippines in various ways. Through their pioneering research studies and contribution to the genomics program of the country, UPD-CS
scientists continue to use science for national progress, embodying UP’s commitment to serving the Filipino people.

For interview requests and other concerns, please contact media@science.upd.edu.ph.