by Lan Daval
While you might consider a Canadian or any other country vacation for relaxation, excitement and enjoyment, you might likewise be unprepared for the unexpected, particularly about food—preferably Filipino food.
Stunning food and best recipes to pair with wine, beer and other liquor is the fare of the day here. I noticed the locals here in Toronto (Ontario) indulge in good food. The clear indication of this is the array of fine restaurants and renowned fast food joints that dot the city. Yes, Christmas may still be a few days away, but when it comes to buying and preparing items for the holiday feast, as they love to say here, it’s never too early to talk turkey – classic roast turkey dinner and finding appropriate wine, beer and other liquor match.
But, enough about the kind of food here, whose names and variations I find rather confusing. Let’s talk about Filipino food available in Toronto and probably in other areas of Canada. Well, caring, sharing and loving are shared to define the true spirit of Christmas. And with this very special occasion of the year, Filipino food specialty stores in Toronto are offering Christmas menu packages for the noche buena – Pinoy mouth-watering cuisine, freshly-baked cakes and pastries, luscious and delicious desserts (kakanin) that will surely make our kababayans’ Christmas a memorable one.
There are Filipino and other Asian convenience stores here that cater not only to the Filipino community but the locals as well. I’m still a bit of a stranger, here but I discovered something more exciting than spending a vacation – the food, Filipino food, of course. Yes, almost all Pinoy food products and brands – toyo, sukang puti, patis, pansit canton, bihon, tuyo, bolinao or dilis, junk food, tetra drinks, biscuits, grated coconut, glutinous rice and powder, grated cassava and flour, canned goods like sardines, corned beef, black beans, coconut milk, fruit preserve, and many, many more are available, here including our famous homely delicious and putrid-smelling durian fruit—frozen pulp or fresh. Name it, they have it.
Since this will be my first Christmas away from home, I have yet to experience and afterwards compare how the people here celebrate the year’s biggest festivity. Remember the Philippines is known the world over as the country that celebrates the longest Christmas season – four months or maybe even more. As part of our culture and tradition, Filipinos indulge in feasting, decorating, caroling, sharing and gift-giving which are the core elements of the celebration of Christmas in every family. It’s a worldwide festivity celebrated with gusto, pomp and pageantry.
We will really miss Christmas the Filipino way – simbang gabi, suman, puto bumbong at saka lechon. While some of the more affluent Filipinos might be starting their holiday shopping early, other kind-hearted probably have already started giving out early their Christmas presents or holding parties. Our generous corporate entities back home perhaps have prepared gift baskets to deliver to their media friends and some needy institutions.
Various religious groups, some private companies known for their generous acts, and NGOs will surely do charity work and do something for the holidays. We were also thinking that government, for its part, will likewise do charity drive like distributing foodstuff and other goodies to the less-privileged and neglected sector of society like what some generous and kind-hearted private entities are doing during Christmas and help keep the generosity going.
At a time when our impoverished country seems to be still facing complex and interlocking problems and reeling continuously from socio-political and economic uncertainties, loving, sharing, caring and gift-giving initiatives are just some of the many stories that business corporations, civic and religious groups, religious organizations, NGOs and any individual should be proud of. It just reaffirms that the spirit of Christmas still lingers in our hearts and minds and that not every problem each Filipino encounters is a hopeless case.
At this stage, snow is everywhere, snow flurries continue to fall with strong gusty winds creating a chilling effect, especially outdoors and the temperature here in Toronto has plummeted to minus 24 degrees Centigrade while up in northern Canada it is down to minus 28 to 30. Christmas here is associated with the winter season while back home it has become more fun to celebrate Christmas in a warm and sunny atmosphere. What a great place to party. I’ll really miss it, dear people. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all!
