BARMM exec calls pork pastil ‘culturally insensitive'

An official of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said on Saturday that using pork to make pastil is "culturally insensitive'' amid the growing popularity of the Moro rice dish.

Pastil has gained popularity for being a filling yet affordable meal, which can be bought for as low as P25.

It consists of steamed rice topped with shredded meat such as chicken, beef, or fish.

The delicacy is halal food, meaning its preparation adheres to strict Islamic norms and traditions.

“Pastil is very important culturally and historically for the Bangsamoro, specifically for Maguindanaoans,” BARMM spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun said at a news forum in Quezon City.

“We’re happy because it’s becoming mainstream in other parts of the country… [but] cultural appropriation should be looked into because in Muslim Mindanao culture… it’s culturally insensitive kapag ang ginawa nating meat sa pastil ay pork (if the meat used to cook pastil is pork),” he added.

The BARMM official said this in response to a question about some business owners promoting “reinvented” pastil, which use pork.

Islam forbids the consumption of pork as it considers swine an unclean animal.

Pendatun said that while non-Muslims are free to make their own versions of the delicacy, they should avoid calling it pastil if they plan to use pork.

“Puwedeng tawagin na lang pork binalot (It can be called pork binalot instead),” he said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News