12 THINGS YOU WON’T FORGET ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

                                        Image courtesy of Agham Pinoy

You miss the Philippines and everything about being Filipino.  Like this lover’s cliché “Distance makes the heart grow fonder?”  Or “Distance makes the heart forget?” Which one describes you the most?

Check out below my list of some of the unforgettables about the Philippines:

1. Tingi-tingi.  Where else in the world can you find small entrepreneurs selling tingi-tingi to customers?  Only in the Philippines.  You can just buy 1 shampoo sachet, a re-packed margarine placed in a small plastic or a kilo of pancit that you can just buy in the public market.
2. Merienda.  Your day is never complete without a merienda.  Where else can you find people eating six times a day?
3. Pasalubong. Even if you only run to the city to buy something,  never go home without bringing something for the kids who are left at home.  How much more if you’re an OFW?  Your balikbayan box is what your family and relatives expect, especially during Christmas season. 
4. Bagoong.  Forget about high cholesterol! This stinky fish or shrimp paste is the one responsible for making your pinakbet and other delicacies so flavorful thus making it a must for some Filipino recipes.
5. Courteous Titles.  We’re one of the most respectful races.  We don’t call our elderly their first names, we call them  Ate, Kuya, Manang, Manong, etc.  Our paggalang sa nakakatanda has been a trademark of our close family ties.
6. Balut. This unhatched duck’s embryo seems like a nakakadiri food to outsiders, but you don’t care  and just sprinkle some salt and eat it with gusto!
7. Dirty Ice Cream. I still wonder why it’s called dirty, but nevertheless, you can select from a variety of flavors such as vanilla, mango, and the latest popular flavor which  is durian.
8. Bahala Na.  When you are unsure about doing something, you just leave everything to God on what’s going to be the consequence of your decision. 
9. Street Food. Forget about diarrhea, hepatitis or whatever type of disease you can get from eating street food.  The smell of barbecue or chicken entrails is enough to draw you nearer to the food vendor.
10. Mangoes.  It is said to be the sweetest in the world.  You just love it, whether it’s green or yellow.
11. Pandesal.  Nothing completes your mornings without pandesal and hot coffee.
12. Karaoke.  Out of tune or not, you just love to sing to your heart’s content. 

How about you?  Which something about the Philippines which makes you always remember being a Filipino?  What can you add to this list? Feel free to leave your comments below.