Republic of the Philippines

Philippine Normal University

The National Center for Teacher Education

Montibon, Angielyn V. BEE-II

Dr. Adelyne M. Costello-Abrea Survey on Phil. Literature in English

LESSON 4: ESSAY

LET’S WARM UP!

A.

1. C

2. B

3. D

4. E

5. A

B. What country would you like to visit and why?

I would like to visit Paris, France which is known as “the place of love”. I want to take pictures
in the Eifel Tower together with my special someone, someday. Paris is very famous for their pastries like
French Macarons and Ispahan Croissant at Pierre Herme that looks so delicious in the brochures that I
found, so that I will surely not miss a chance to taste it. Shopping places with unique fashion styles is
also the best destination I wanted to go in Paris, shopping there would really make me relax and find
some stuffs that are not available here in our country. They are also known for their beautiful architecture
from Roman times to the Middle ages which caught my interest to know its history aside from its picture
taking designs from the Haussmannian creations to the contemporary buildings.

LET’S DO IT!

1. Which countries did the persona in the selection visit?

The persona visited Hong Kong, Tokyo and other cities of Asia. She also did not missed the
chance to go to Rome, Paris, London, America and California.

2. What are some of the local and foreign foods mentioned in the essay?
 Republic of the Philippines
Philippine Normal University
The National Center for Teacher Education

The foreign and local foods mentioned in the essay are the elegant wagon of hors d’oeuvres: pink
salmon from Scotland, golden English herring, sensuous anchovies from France, green salas from a
Belgian farm, mounds of Italian pasta, Russian caviar on ice, melon halves, stuffed eggs, shrimp
smothered in piquant red sauce. There are also mound of white rice, a bowl of sinigang (na bangus) and a
little saucer of patis, tinapa, shrimp with sukang Iloko to soak in, melon, a clear consommé, tomato soup,
onion soup with bits of bread and cheese, bouillabaisse with a flourish, poulet, fillet de sole fish,
tournedos withred juices, tapang usa, escargots, crusty French bread, soft yellow rolls, rye bread,
crescents studded with sesame seeds, and potatoes in every conceivable manner(crushed, boiled, fried,
buttered). There are siopao, lumpia, mami, bagoong, gabi leaves, misua.

3. What are the adjustments that a Filipino has to make when s/he goes abroad?

If a Filipino goes abroad he will surely make big adjustments in the country’s cultures, traditions,
and the delicacy that we only Filipinos used to have. It is very hard to adapt to a certain tradition and
culture he or she is not conditioned of. Aside from culture shock, we, Filipinos have our own “Pinoy
Style” that foreign foods can’t offer. That is why Patis is used in the story because it is one of the best
unique condiments and favorite sauce among Filipinos. It doesn’t matter how expensive the food is or
how special it is, there are still part of our soul that would search for the taste of foods that we are
supposed to have before.

4. Explain the line, “ A Filipino may denationalize himself but not his stomach”.

It means that no matter how a Filipino used to love the other countries’ places, or even forget his
true identity as a Filipino citizen, but when he was served with different kind of specialties from the other
countries, he would still crave for Filipino dishes. He may forget his country but he will not forget the
cuisine he used to live in his own country. A Filipino can change his citizenship he wanted, but he cannot
deny that the food he love to eat everyday is the one he will crave when he is hungry. Even though the
taste of fashion or styles may change, Filipino’s attitude towards food will always matter the most. Our
choice of food is very unique in a way that it is full of favors, colors and delicious aroma. Letting each
flavor have its own way without having to blend it together and yet resulting dishes that have salty, sweet
and tangy taste that every Filipinos would surely cannot live without it.