Why are Filipinos fond of salty and sweet food?

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Filipino cuisine is a diverse blend of different influences from various cultures, including Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American, among others. One possible reason why Filipinos are fond of salty and sweet food could be because of the significant influence of these different cultures on Filipino cuisine.


The Filipino culinary preference is a diverse and vibrant mix of indigenous, Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American influences. Filipino cuisine is known for its bold flavors, use of fresh ingredients, and colorful presentation. Some of the most popular dishes in Filipino cuisine include adobo, a savory stew of meat, vinegar, and soy sauce; sinigang, a sour soup with vegetables and meat or seafood; and lechon, a whole roasted pig.

Filipino cuisine also features a wide range of street food, including grilled meats, fish balls, and kwek-kwek (deep-fried quail eggs). Desserts are also an essential part of Filipino cuisine, with popular options like halo-halo, a shaved ice dessert with various toppings; leche flan, a rich and creamy custard dessert; and bibingka, a rice cake typically served during Christmas.

The Filipino culinary preference is characterized by its bold and flavorful dishes, which are enjoyed by Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike.

Filipinos have a love for salty and sweet food because of their culinary history and cultural influences.

The use of salt in Filipino cuisine can be traced back to the pre-colonial era when salt was used as a preservative for fish and meat. It also served as a flavor enhancer and was added to dishes to balance out the sourness and spiciness of other ingredients. The salty taste has become a common flavor profile in Filipino cuisine, and many Filipinos enjoy salty snacks and condiments such as fish sauce and soy sauce.

On the other hand, the love for sweet food can be attributed to the Spanish colonial period. Spanish cuisine heavily influenced Filipino cuisine, and the use of sugar and other sweeteners became more prevalent during this time. The Spanish introduced desserts such as leche flan, ensaymada, and polvoron, which are still enjoyed by Filipinos today.

Moreover, the Filipino palate also enjoys a balance of sweet and salty flavors in dishes. This can be seen in popular Filipino dishes such as adobo, which has a savory and slightly sweet taste due to the use of vinegar and soy sauce.

In summary, the love for salty and sweet food in Filipino cuisine can be attributed to a mix of historical, cultural, and culinary influences.


Chinese cuisine commonly includes sweet and savory flavors in their dishes, such as sweet and sour pork or soy sauce-based marinades. Meanwhile, Spanish cuisine often uses salty ingredients like olives and cured ham.

Another possible reason is that the climate in the Philippines can affect food preferences. In a hot and humid environment, people may crave salty and sweet flavors to balance the body's electrolytes and satisfy their taste buds.

Overall, Filipinos' preference for salty and sweet food is likely due to a combination of cultural influences and individual taste preferences shaped by environmental and regional factors.


Maybe we should learn more about the reasons why ... instead of outright complaining or ranting.


When criticizing about food offerings of certain restaurants or brands, the right questions we should ask "is it better that way for us?" "Compared to others, are the ingredients, spices, etc. used on their products more beneficial?"

When was the time we checked for the actual ingredients used to prepare our food?


Sometimes kasi not everything that's tasty are good for us. Kaya nga hindi ba hospital food are like "walang lasa" because they are necessary daw for our recovery or improvement of our health? Not too sweet or salty? Filipinos are indeed more fond of such food close to being too salty or sweet without considering the impacts to our health.


Should proper diet and nutrition be also applied in restaurants, including fastfood? Or palusot lang ba yun para tipirin nila ang cooking at serving ng ating food at hospitals? Should it be different at restaurants? Maybe the restaurant owners or chefs/cooks are practicing or implementing more thoughtful ways or means of cooking our food?

All about Pugad Baboy

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Pugad Baboy is a Filipino comic strip created by Pol Medina Jr. in 1988. It has gained immense popularity in the Philippines over the years and has become a cultural icon. The comic strip is known for its satirical take on the Filipino society, politics, and culture. In this article, we will discuss the history of Pugad Baboy, its characters, and its impact on the Filipino society.

History of Pugad Baboy

Pugad Baboy was first published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 1988. The comic strip was an instant hit and gained a large following in a short amount of time. The comic strip is set in a fictional housing estate called Pugad Baboy, which is a slang term for "pig's nest." The housing estate is populated by a group of friends who are depicted as overweight and lazy. The comic strip portrays the characters as a reflection of the Filipino society's vices and excesses.

The Characters of Pugad Baboy

The comic strip revolves around a group of friends who live in Pugad Baboy. The main characters of the comic strip are:

Mang Dagul – The leader of the group, who is overweight and has a big appetite.


Polgas – A talking dog who is Mang Dagul's loyal companion.


Bab – A member of the group who is obsessed with food and women.


Tisoy – A member of the group who is the smartest and most rational among them.


Jolen – A member of the group who is always drunk and lazy.


Polgas Jr. – The son of Polgas, who is also a talking dog.


Ningning – Mang Dagul's wife, who is depicted as a strong and independent woman.

The Impact of Pugad Baboy on the Filipino Society

Pugad Baboy has had a significant impact on the Filipino society. The comic strip is known for its satirical take on the Filipino society, politics, and culture. It has become a voice for the Filipino people who are often ignored by the mainstream media. The comic strip has also become a cultural icon and has been adapted into various forms of media, including television shows and movies.

Pugad Baboy has also been praised for its portrayal of strong and independent women. Ningning, Mang Dagul's wife, is depicted as a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. She has become a role model for many Filipino women who are struggling for equality in a male-dominated society.

The comic strip has also been criticized for its use of crude humor and offensive language. Some people have found the comic strip to be offensive and inappropriate. However, the creator of the comic strip has defended his work, stating that it is a reflection of the Filipino society and that he is only trying to make people laugh.

Conclusion

Pugad Baboy is a cultural icon in the Philippines. The comic strip is known for its satirical take on the Filipino society, politics, and culture. It has become a voice for the Filipino people who are often ignored by the mainstream media. The comic strip has also had a significant impact on the portrayal of strong and independent women in the Filipino society. While the comic strip has been criticized for its use of crude humor and offensive language, it remains a beloved part of the Filipino culture.

The cartoonist known as Tarantadong Kalbo

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Tarantadong Kalbo is a controversial Filipino cartoonist who gained notoriety for his irreverent and often offensive cartoons. His real name was not publicly known, as he has chosen to remain anonymous.

Now we know him as Kevin Eric Raymundo, a visual artist and animator. He is the creator of the comics Tarantadong Kalbo or TK to his legion of followers.

Tarantadong Kalbo first rose to prominence in the early 2000s, when his cartoons began circulating on social media and through underground publications. His cartoons are known for their crude and vulgar humor, often featuring sexual and scatological themes.

Many of Tarantadong Kalbo's cartoons are also politically charged, taking aim at government officials, religious figures, and other public figures. His work has been criticized for being insensitive and offensive, with some calling for his cartoons to be censored or banned.

Please note that his humor is often sarcastic, irreverent, and can be offensive to some audiences.

One example of Tarantadong Kalbo's humor is a comic strip where a man asks his wife to accompany him to the gym, but she declines, saying that she prefers to stay home and watch her favorite soap opera. The man then responds, "Why do you need to watch soap operas? We have one here at home!" while pointing to the dishes stacked up in the sink.

This type of humor is known as a "punchline" where the joke builds up to a surprise ending, often using wordplay or irony. Tarantadong Kalbo's humor can be controversial, and some of his jokes may not be suitable for all audiences.

In one of his cartoons, he depicted former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as a large and grotesque creature with numerous arms, each one holding a bag of money. The image was a commentary on the numerous corruption scandals that plagued Arroyo's administration.

Tarantadong Kalbo also made fun of former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's signature hairstyle, portraying him with a large pompadour and labeling him as "President Kulot" (kulot means curly-haired in Filipino). The caricature was a humorous way of commenting on Aquino's popularity and image-consciousness.

In another cartoon, he depicted Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as a mouse caught in a mousetrap, with a sign beside him that reads, "Trillanes Trapo Catcher." The image was a commentary on Trillanes' reputation as a "trapo" (traditional politician) who engages in political maneuvering and backroom deals.

Tarantadong Kalbo also poked fun at Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, portraying him as a superhero named "Duterte-Man," complete with a cape and a mask. However, instead of fighting crime, Duterte-Man is shown cracking down on drug users and political opponents, highlighting the controversial aspects of Duterte's administration.

These are just a few examples of Tarantadong Kalbo's political humor, which often uses satire, caricature, and exaggeration to comment on current events and political figures in the Philippines.

He uses simple illustrations in featuring personalities provoking social commentaries and noise on current events and social issues. His raised fist cartoon inspired the #Tumindig Resistance Movement in the Philippines.

You may follow him on Tarantadong Kalbo’s Facebook, Instagram @tarantadongkalbo and Twitter account @KevinKalbo 

Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Tarantadong Kalbo has maintained a loyal following of fans who appreciate his edgy and unconventional approach to cartooning. Some have praised him for his willingness to speak truth to power and challenge societal norms through his work.

However, others argue that his cartoons are harmful and perpetuate negative stereotypes and discrimination towards certain groups of people. They also point out that humor should not come at the expense of others' dignity or well-being.

In recent years, Tarantadong Kalbo has become less active in the public eye, and it is unclear if he is still creating new cartoons. However, his legacy as a controversial and polarizing figure in Filipino cartooning remains, and his work continues to spark debates about the limits of free speech and artistic expression.

In conclusion, Tarantadong Kalbo is a Filipino cartoonist known for his controversial and often offensive cartoons. While some admire his unapologetic approach to cartooning, others criticize his work for being harmful and insensitive. Ultimately, the impact and legacy of his cartoons remain a subject of debate and discussion in the Philippines and beyond.

It is important to remember that using derogatory terms towards any individual or group is disrespectful and dehumanizing. Language has the power to shape our perceptions and attitudes towards others, and using derogatory terms can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination.

Instead of focusing on derogatory terms, we should strive to use language that is inclusive, respectful, and promotes empathy and understanding towards others. Let us choose our words carefully and be mindful of the impact they have on others.