The November edition of Lasang Pinoy challenges us to think about Filipino soul food. What exactly is this? Until gracious host Minnette announced the theme, I didn’t realise soul food has its roots in African-American culture. So it IS related to soul music, which is the African-American style of combining elements of gospel music with more secular forms. In fact it used to be called Black Cuisine and only became “Soul Food” during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, according to Patricia Mitchell. Furthermore, she says that “when the emancipation came in 1863, slaves soon scattered from the confines of the plantation into other parts of the United States. So as to not lose contact with family members scattered far and wide, Sunday dinners became a common time for families to get together.” Interesting! The things one learns from joining online food blogging events.

And so the term soul food has evolved to mean that which brings back memories of family togetherness and was then adapted by other ethnic groups. Which brings us back to our theme for the month. What for me is Filipino soul food? I loved the way Minnette tied this up with how we Filipinos celebrate All Saints and All Souls Days - which are almost always with family, the nearest and the dearest.

I have very fond memories of All Saints Day celebrations. It was a major event, as far as I was was concerned. Days beforehand, we would go to the cemetery to supervise the cleaning of my grandfather’s grave, clean the house and go to the market for what we’d cook on the day itself. On Daun (pronounced ‘dah-woon’), my aunties, uncles and cousins would arrive from the city.
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Trust Ting over at World Class Cuiscene to come up with a catchy phrase. She was the one who coined Lasang Pinoy after much brainstorming on what we’d call the Filipino food blogging event a few of us were then planning. This time around, she couldn’t but help herself to Yemagate! Tiresome affair! I never in my wildest dreams imagined this blog would get into a controversy!

It’s only been a little over a year since I had a blog dedicated to food but it seems like it’s been a long time. So many things happened, mainly nice and wonderful. I love interacting with the international network of food bloggers and readers, who so generously share their culture, life and passion with us who read them. How fantastic to know we also share many things, mainly foodstuff, in common.

Early in the summer, from our mirth (Stef’s and mine - we do nothing but laugh) came the seeds of an online brainstorming session with other food bloggers to what eventually will become Lasang Pinoy. Just a little after we launched the project, it gained a mention in Newsbreak with the story A Taste of Culinary Identity in between Bird Flu and the Kamikaze Memorial. We must be nationally significant then!
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For this month’s Lasang Pinoy, Minnette chose the theme All Pinoy Soul Food! Now that it’s getting cold, that would be perfect!

We’re on our fourth month and it seems like everyone’s enjoying the events. We keep on discovering new Filipino food blogs. We also love it when non-food bloggers join in. And we do have regulars like Atinna and Annabanana! We have lively discussions on the mailing list and look at our Iska- and Mike-designed icons!

Ever creative, I wonder how we’ll be able to translate this month’s theme into a lively feast. I’m quite excited to read the entries soon. We already have at least one but I’m not telling who sent it!

Soul food, soul food… What does soul food mean? Read Minnette’s announcement and find out where the term originated. Related to soul music? Hmmm…

Join in on the fun! The event is open to everyone. For non-bloggers, let me know if you need someone to host your entry. If you need pictures to illustrate your story, e-mail me, tell Stef or Minnette. The Lasang Pinoy community might just find one for you. We’re all generous people, no need to pilfer. We also don’t need another scandal to make Lasang Pinoy known, hehehe! Right Marketman?

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