[contest entry] Why I Should Be the Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Blogger!

Hello!

My name is Joanne.

I want to be the Sooo Pinoy Ultimate Food Blogger!

Why?

I live for Filipino food.

Oxtail Kare Kare with Bok Choy, Sitaw, and Talong
from Patio Filipino, San Bruno, CA
I started my food blog in 2007 with the intent to document all the food excursions I had in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond; however, my love for food started when I was a child.


My mom and my Inang were fantastic cooks who taught me how to appreciate the cuisine of their homeland.


Longsilog - Longanisa Sausages, Garlic Rice, and Egg
from Mercury Lounge, San Francisco, CA
Filipino food is a way for me to keep in touch with my roots. Though I was born and raised in the Bay Area, I have been to the Philippines many times primarily staying with my family in Umingan, Pangasinan.


Back in Umingan with Some Coke and Pork BBQ
As a Filipina-American, I’m intrigued by where my family from. Any new knowledge I take from this trip will be treasured.


Silvanas - Cashew Meringue Wafer Sandwiches Filled with Buttercream
from House of Silvanas, Daly City, CA

Here in the States, I do a multitude of things associated with food. Aside from my day job at a medical practice...

I cook and bake.

I write for my personal food blog.

I am a contributing food writer for SF Station’s YUM! Blog.

And I am cofounder of a Filipino dining group called kapaMEALya:


One of the goals I have in life is to promote Filipino food and the creativity of our Filipino chefs here in the United States. Filipino food is so underrated. My friends, local Filipino chefs, folks in the Filipino food industry and I have had debates about why that is. We have traveled together in search of Filipino food and have organized events that showcase Filipino cuisine for Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike.


Buko con Seta - Coconut Gel and Tropical Ice Cream Dessert
at Intramuros Restaurant, South San Francisco, CA
I want to experience the food culture in the Philippines and share my adventures and my impressions with everyone who may never get the chance to do what I did.


Like Mother Like Daughter - Crispy Pata, Anyone?
If chosen, I will start my adventures with an open mind and a clean palate. I will welcome any dish, any ingredient, any flavor and in any setting. I am eager to learn and absorb everything I take in with all my senses. In the end, my goal is to share the knowledge I gained in the Philippines.

It is important to me that the traditions of Filipino food stay intact for future generations. I want my children to know how to make balatong and ginataang bilo bilo the way my mom and Inang taught me. The world is always changing. People change with time and so does food. Yes, I AM a Filipina-American, but I do not want the heritage and history of my family and their homeland to be forgotten, especially Filipino cuisine. On the same token, I do want to see growth in the cuisine and how far it can go in the mainstream here in the States.


Picnic Lunch of Filipino Classics Made with
Farm Fresh Vegetables Grown in Santa Cruz, CA
Food is a tool to unite people and a way for people to learn about each other. To say that I love food is an understatement. Food is my passion. To explore the Philippines would be the learning experience of a lifetime.

Yours,
Joanne

More Goodies:


Article About kapaMEALya in SF Weekly

Grilled Pusit
from Intramuros Restaurant, SSF, CA

Sisig Surprise Sandwich
from Toast Deli, Daly City, CA

Longsilog and Longanisa Corn Dogs
from The Wow Truck, San Francisco, CA

Sizzling Pork Sisig
from Sinugba, Daly City, CA

Copyright Notice: All Food Photos (except those in kapaMEALya banner)
in this Post Were Taken by Joanne