Pinoy Pasyal: Three ways to celebrate Buwan ng Wika and National Heroes' Day

Speaking in straight Filipino, attending Pinoy-themed events, and joining Filipino writing contests may be the usual ways to celebrate Buwan ng Wika. But do you need to limit yourselves to these activities? 

 

Embrace your nationalism by visiting places that will bring you closer to your Filipino roots. Try these suggestions from GMA News TV's "Good News."

 

Dine in a Pinoy heritage resto

 

You probably eat adobo, paksiw, tinola, and sinigang on a regular basis but if you want to enjoy Filipino food complete with a purely traditional Pinoy ambience and hospitality, head over to Filipino-themed heritage restaurants.

 

XO 46 Bistro Filipino, for example, has a menu that contains nothing but classic Pinoy dishes from different parts of the country. Each meal is cooked exactly like they were cooked by our ancestors using natural ingredients. Adobong Batangas with atsuete, binagoongan sa gata, bangus salpicao, and ginataang sigarilyas are just some of the dishes available here.

 

"Dapat maging proud tayo sa pagkain natin," Chef Tanya Dizon of XO 46 Bistro FIlipino said. "Lalo na ngayon na ang daming nagsusulputan na mga bagong mga pagkain. Ito 'yung offer namin sa mga Filipino na 'Dito tayo kumain. Ito 'yung sariling atin. Suportahan natin.'"

 

Designed and decorated to resemble an old Filipino house, XO 46 Bistro Filipino takes the Pinoy atmosphere further by having traditionally-dressed servers who speak straight Tagalog. Complementary dishes like a plate of puto even comes with a bugtong for added entertainment.

 

"Sa mga Filipino, natutuwa sila usually 'pag kinakausap sila ng Tagalog," Chef Dizon revealed. "Dito sa atin 'di ba usually 'pag nagkaka-usap tayo, may halong English na 'yung iba. So dito parang nagkakaroon ng katuwaan 'pag nagkakaroon ng customer interaction."

 

Relax, the Filipino way

 

Music from Korea, food from Japan, and shows from the US. With all these foreign influences around, it's easy to neglect things that are made and produced by our own.

 

Ramon Mariñas of Luljetta's Hanging Gardens and Spa makes sure that he helps reinforce the Filipino identity by incorporating Pinoy products and services in his business.

 

"Inspiration namin dito comes from our travels around the Philippines mostly," explained Mariñas. "Gusto naming ipakita dito at ipagyabang na 'yung kulturang Filipino, kayang-kaya pala natin siyang ipakita in terms of architecture, food, and services."

 

Aside from offering a breathtaking view of Laguna de Bay and the Manila skyline, and having amenities that include a jacuzzi, an infinity pool, and a hydromassage pool, Mariñas' resort in Antipolo also offers Pinoy-themed services.

 

The huts found in the resort are made of local materials like bamboo, anahaw, rattan, and nipa. The resort's private lounge is decorated with local furniture brought from different parts of the country. There's a lamp from Bicol, a chair from Palawan, and curtains from Ilocos. They even have a sungka table available for anyone who wants to play. Those who want to relax can also have a hilot-inspired massage in the resort's spa.

 

Immerse in Filipino art and literature

 

Appreciate Filipino talent and creativity by going to museums that showcase Pinoy-made artworks and writings. Visiting galleries like the Heritage Art Center in Cubao will give you an idea as to how imaginative and inspired Filipino artists are.

 

Marlyn Alcantara of the Heritage Art Center said that the goal of the gallery is to help Filipino artists be recognized.

 

The gallery showcases works from local painters including Vicente Manansala, Victorio Edades, and H.R. Ocampo. Meanwhile, book lovers can read publications written by Pinoy authors. Filipino-crafted sculptures and vintage jewelry are also on display.

— Lara Gonzales/KG, GMA News