Hapless Historian Highlights!

Reworking the Writing

By Abadvibes via Wikimedia Commons

“Antonio Abad”

Here’s What’s Coming Up

In light of recent changes in my goals, I’m refocusing this space to highlight Fil-Am history, US history and my own reflections on these topics. Posts will come each Monday. This space will focus across the spectrum on articles, film and cuisine experiences I find interesting, and ones that may interest a few people who visit this blog.

Please let me know what you’d like to see in the coming weeks, as I am always looking for your perspectives!

In the meantime, here’s a few highlights from the past year or so. These are moments I liked and ones you might want to revisit. Feel free to comment or message me if you’d like to know more! Thank you for your time and continued support.

Hungry History Highlights

Hungry History: Filipino Arroz Caldo!! (Lugaw)

This is a lovely, savory rice porridge that I was introduced to in graduate school. It comes in powdered instant versions, but is not complicated to make with a good recipe. Like many Filipino recipes, this seems to be one where each family has their version. The key is good quality ingredients and knowing where you need to make adjustments for your family’s needs. Water and chicken broth can be mixed to adjust the sodium levels.

Hungry History: Sandwiches!!

I was always curious where the word “sandwich” came from, as I was curious about a number of words we use (did you know the English “typhoon” has Chinese and Persian origins?). Additionally, I was wondering about the short history of something as popular as the American sandwich, which has a place in nearly all of my generation’s sack lunches (does anyone use sacks anymore?). I also made a really yummy sandwich that inspired this post, pictured!

Hungry History: Spam Musubi!!

Surprisingly, I’d never had these Hawaiian specialities, even after my short trip to the Islands. I had always thought Spam was a mystery meat of questionable quality, but was happy to find it can be used to make something really yummy!

Movie Monday Highlights

Movie Monday: "The Patriot," a film by Roland Emmerich

Admittedly liberal in historical accuracy and heavy on emotional appeal, the star power of Mel Gibson, coupled with the patriotic (pun intended) narrative, makes the awareness of this film no surprise. While it goes out of its way to vilify the British, and does look favorably on the Rebels, it does reflect many ideals that our nation, including the belief than anyone, regardless of skin color, has an opportunity (albeit unequally) to make something of themselves. It is also entertaining as one of my “guilty” history-related pleasures.

Movie Monday: "The Mountain Thief," a film by Gerry Balasta, 2010

This was an eye-opening film for me, particularly as it relates to the Philippines. While I had come across poverty in my graduate research before, I don’t believe many films capture the sheer gap between haves and have nots as this one. It is undeniably real in its portrayals, and I’m so thankful it had English subtitles. As I mention in the review, I believe this film “should be required viewing for all college students, ‘first world’ citizens worldwide, and professed religious individuals who would seek to know and better the world,” so everyone can understand the side effects of political and economic inequality.

Proud Moment!

My Winning Submission: EDSA/People Power Revolution Essay Writing Contest

I’ve already posted this multiple times, so please excuse me, but it still stands as one of my more proud recent moments while working on this blog. The Bay Area Fil-Am community members were very welcoming and had nothing but positive things to say about my submission. I was thankful to share the stage with several key Fil-Am and Filipino community members, as well as many talented writers and artists from music and poetry. I’ve made professional connections and reconnected a little with my Filipino and Fil-Am heritage. Thank you all so much!

Here’s to the Future

I am excited to move forward with my blog project, and for the topics and writings I have in the works. I want to thank you for your ongoing support, please click “Like” and keep in touch on Facebook to help guide where the content goes from here. Thank you so much for your ongoing support!

Hungry History: Sandwiches!!

Honey Whole Wheat Toast with Butter, Sun-dried tomatoes w/ olive oil, pepper jack cheese, salami, sliced turkey breast with balsamic-vinegar tomatoes and spinach

From peanut butter and jelly to turkey-avocado, Reuben sandwiches, and Philly cheese steak, we've all had one or two sandwiches we love. Today we're going to explore a little of the history behind the development of the sandwich.

The namesake is thought to come from John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, because of his credited creation of this highly portable food. One story states that the Earl was in a terrible hurry and, as was common at the time, instead of eating the entire meal on a "trencher" or stale piece of bread, the Earl "wrapped" the meat and vegetables in the folded stale bread and ate on the run. Another states that he wished his valets to serve his food in such a manner because he wanted to continue playing cards and other hobbies without greasing his fingers or the playing cards.

Sandwich-type meals have been around for many generations, and are widely consumed in as diverse parts of the world as the Middle East, where Jewish individuals use unleavened bread with meat and various vegetables, to the common use of Naan-style bread in India, eaten most often with curries and other dishes. Also falling under the definition of sandwich are the various sweet versions like chocolate-cream sandwiches and ice cream sandwiches.

The Wall Street journal, going along with the Earl's claim, states that the sandwich was Britain's "biggest contribution to gastronomy."

Though the concept of the sandwich is rather easily understood among most globalized citizens today, there was a curious court case in Boston surrounding the legal definition of the sandwich. The story goes that a court in Boston fashioned a legal definition for the food due to a non-compete clause of a shopping center which already contained restaurants serving tacos, burritos, and quesadillas which, some argued, could be construed as a sandwich type food. The court found that these styles of food differed particularly because they do not utilize two slices of bread, but generally one tortilla. More information on the court case can be read here.

For more on sandwiches generally, the above link to the Wikipedia article is informative.