‘I wonder what they ate in June of 1898’

Ihave always wondered about the type of food that was served on June 12, 1898, the declaration of our Independence Day. In my family for instance, my grandmother Carmen Roces and the rest of our Roces matriarchs, paid special detail to food depending on the occasion – whether it be birthdays, baptisms, funerals, beach outings, homecomings or small quiet merienda cenas.

In our family, and especially for the women, food was definitely a main concern which brings me back to wondering about what our founding fathers ate in this historical occasion.

Considering that our Philippine Independence took place in Kawit, Cavite, I would think that much of what was prepared were native to its own town.

I also wonder if any preparations happened for lunch or perhaps merienda cena, since the declaration of Philippine Independence happened in the afternoon. Considering time was of the essence when it came to the completion of the first Philippine Flag, three women painstakingly sewed and embroidered on a silk cloth to provide detailed representation of our nationalism.

I can only imagine therefore, since food is a big part of our culture, on June 12, 1898 a couple of noisy cooks were hustling in the kitchen. After all, our independence is worth the hustle…. even in the kitchen. ¡Viva la Republica Filipina!