I happen to be dating an American. Not just that, he’s also been in the hotel industry for about 20 years. This does not mean he’s all about gourmet dinners, balls and wine and cheese tastings – although he does all that. First time I met him, he was in jeans and a t-shirt having a beer, and looking sexy as hell. I didn’t see him in a suit until… well, that’s for another story.
Today’s lesson is: YOU CAN USE A SPOON FOR ANYTHING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Mga ilang araw na ang nakalipas mula nang may isang Pinoy na nakabalik mula Las Vegas. Itago na lang natin sya sa pangalang MP. Si MP at ang kanyang tropa ay kumain sa hotel ni CJ ng agahan bago lumibot ng Maynila. Malaking handaan. Napuno ang ballroom.
Hindi ko na nakita ang bisita nila CJ dahil kailangan ko maaga sa trabaho. Pero update sakin paminsan minsan dahil alam nya na naiinggit ako na makikita nya si MP.
Then nagtext sakin si CJ:
“I don’t know why I bother putting knives on the table.”
Ahh yes. One of the constant struggles of CJ since he got here, and since he has met me, is watching Filipinos eat with a spoon and fork… instead of what he insists is the proper way of knife and fork.
He has watched me use a spoon to eat rice (of course), cut up meat (why not?!?), eat a salad (can do…) and serve more food (eh paano mo sasandukin, ‘di ba?).
What he doesn’t realize is that the SPOON a.k.a. KUTSARA is like a deity in most Filipino homes. Most Filipino houses have the enlarged wooden spoon and fork sculptures hanging from the walls. No biggie. It just is. A constant reminder that Filipinos do everything with food… with a spoon and a fork.
Also, you can use a spoon to open a bottle of beer, as a music instrument, as a screwdriver, to peel vegetables… so yes basically everything.
Ika nga ni Alanis Morisette: “It’s like ten thousand spoons, when all you need is a knife.” Tsk. Alanis. Pwede naman kasi yun kutsara, ayan ang dami dami.
Spoons are awesome. They even called it “spooning” for that reason… can you imagine what “knifing” in bed would look like… wait. Umm… iniisip ko tuloy kung ano itsura nun. And paano pa kung “forking”???
Yes, I will ALWAYS be the girl who eats with the spoon. I have mastered the art of how to angle my spoon to achieve the cut I want – whether I want a whole chunk of food, I wanted the ulam shredded a bit, or whether I just want the whole damn thing in my mouth because I’m so HUNGRY. How else am I supposed to have the perfect portion of rice to ulam ratio in one perfect subo?
MABUHAY ang KUTSARA!
Love this article! And of course you can use the spoon for everything (have you tried giving medicine to kids with a knife? I didn’t think so). AND I’ve been told mas masakit isaksak ang kutsara kesa kutsilyo. #TeamSpoon #KutsaraFTW
Terri! Korek ka sa lahat! Oo nga, mas masakit talaga yun… therefore, the Kutsara is not only versatile in the kitchen, isa rin itong pangdepensa! Kutsara na lang babaunin ko sa bag kesa balisong…di pa ako haharangin sa malls.
I have been married for 11 years and have converted the hubby to the spoon. He uses it more than me now!
this is by far your best article faye…. sorbang relatable. my brit boy can’t understand why i even bother eating with a spoon, pang soup lang daw un. Ako naman kung pwede lang kutsarain lahat lalo na ang mash potato…. panu malalagyan ng tamang ratio ng gravy kung tinidor ang gamit?!!?
great job and i so love reading your articles… hope to visit some of the restos you have mentioned pag uwi ko…..
TC
Thank you!!! Katuwa! Mapapagspoon ko itong si CJ, I have hope. Minsan, just to prove a point, gumagamit sya ng fork kahit adobo ulam namin…
Pero tiklop sya 1st time sya pumunta sa bahay ng parents ko. Papakitang gilas.. nagkutsara at nag tatlong serving ng dinuguang luto ni Mommy. Bwahaha!
Hope you enjoy the recommends! I’ll make some more write-ups soon!
Jolly good!
I feel you S. My boo is British so same drama nila at same ang eksena natin. I keep telling him that’s how we eat in Philippines…but of course we’re not in Pinas so do what the romans do. Sa umpisa nakakailang at feeling ko hindi ako nabubusog shet! Hahaha.
Trulaloo! When in Rome… kaya ‘tong si CJ dapat matutong magkutsara at sumandok ng maayos habang nasa Maynila. Hahaha!
Oo nga noh.. mas nakakabusog pag spoon…hehehe. Well, if there’s one thing I know about us Pinays, we get our way sooner or later…peace to the boypren!
Thank you for this article!!! My british husband and I have the same debates all the time. And yes, I will always be the girl who eats with a spoon! Mabuhay ang Kutsara!! 🙂
Mabuhay!!!