Lasang Pinoy

Just like any other fine Filipino day, the sun was out, the sky was blue, and the palm trees wagged in the wind. However, this day was unique in the fact it would be nothing less than unforgettable, especially if Pidro had his way.

"Hurry or we’re going to be late," Pidro pleaded.

Josie and her mother hosted a street festival called ‘Lasang Pinoy’ at the end of every rainy season. This year, Pidro’s family was invited.

Lasang Pinoy means ‘The Filipino Taste’. As far as everyone was concerned, that was one of the best things about being Filipino. People brought their favorite homemade dishes and swapped family recipes handed down for generations.

"I don’t think I can go,” said mother, “My knees are acting up."

"You have to go," said Pidro. "I told Josie you were coming."

"I can always see her later.”

"We’ve been planning this for weeks."

"It’s alright. Have fun without me."

"Dad, please tell mom she has to come.”

"You know how your mother is. When she wants to do something she will do it. If she doesn’t, then she won’t."

Mother sat in her chair at the kitchen table, looking like she might not move again. Pidro stood in front of her, waiting for her to move.

"Go on without me, Pidro."

“Ma, can you just please go?” begged Pidro.

"Alright, but don’t expect me to be the life of the party."

"I don’t think anyone was expecting that,” laughed Maria, “but I think he’d be happy if we were all there."

"I just want everyone there," said Pidro.

The entire Cruz family walked to the road. The Jeepney quickly arrived and whisked everyone to Mercado Pier.

Maria had brought a tray of her Chicken Adobo and Gemma was in charge of the Yema balls, one of her favorite desserts.

Three long tables sat in the courtyard in front of Josie’s apartment – dressed with red, yellow, and blue tablecloths – all symbolizing the colors of the Filipino National flag. An even wider variety of foods were scattered over each table.

Gemma and Maria walked into the courtyard, where they were directed to two separate tables: one for main dishes and one for desserts. Gemma carefully placed the Yema balls on the dessert table. As the crowd gathered around the tray, Gemma remembered what fun it was making them just the night before.

Gemma and Maria had stayed up late, cooking and taste-testing their food. Maria had set two skillets on the stove, one for the Chicken Adobo and the other for the Yema balls.

Maria began by simmering some condensed milk, then adding a few egg yolks. She turned down the heat and Gemma stirred until the mix was silky smooth. Maria added some vanilla and placed the bowl into the refrigerator while she finished the Adobo.

After the Yema mix cooled, Gemma and Maria got to enjoy the second best part of Yema – making the Yema balls. Maria got out a small plate and covered it with sugar. Meanwhile, Gemma removed the Yema mix from the refrigerator and set it on the counter. She dug a spoon into the creamy mixture and gently rolled the mix into small balls. After that, she dropped the Yema balls on the sugar-covered plate and rolled it around. In their kitchen, Gemma and Maria were truly making the Filipino taste: vinegary chicken for the main dish and sugary sweet confections for dessert.

"You sure those are okay?" asked Pidro as he snatched one of the Yema balls and popped it into his mouth.

"Pidro! You’re eating it faster than I can make it!" complained Gemma. She smacked him on the shoulder with the spoon, just like her mother would do whenever the children stole food from the kitchen before it was ready.

Maria and Gemma cooked until midnight and put everything away. It was any wonder they had the energy to enjoy the street festival, but there they were, ready to share their yummy Yema balls and delicious Chicken Adobo.

Of course, Maria’s Adobo wasn’t the only Adobo at the street festival. There were several plates of Chicken Adobo, each one slightly different than the rest. Gemma walked along the row of tables with Pidro, and her mother.

"Mama,” said Pidro, “do you want me to fill you a plate?"

"Pidro, I’m fine.”

"Really, it would be no problem. Let me get you a plate.”

"Pidro, why are you going to all this trouble?"

"I just don’t want you aggravating your sore knee."

"You could have let me rest at home."

"But you had to be here today. Today is too important to miss."

Pidro escorted his mother to the table where everyone had gathered including Maria, his father, his surfing buddies, Josie, and her mother.

Pidro had been anxious for the last few days. He kept bothering Maria and Gemma the night before. He insisted that Maria should cook something besides ‘plain old Chicken Adobo’. Earlier that morning, Pidro had gotten up before Roberto. He had buzzed about the house, showering and shaving and changing clothes until he found just the right outfit.

Gemma, on the other hand, was investigating the rows of tables, looking for something new, something special. In addition to all the plain old Chicken Adobo everyone prepared in their own unique way, there were all types of fish cooked all types of ways. As Gemma walked along, Josie came up beside her.

"Are you doing okay?" asked Josie.

"Yes."

"Your plate is completely empty."

"I’m looking for just the right thing. There are too many choices."

"You can always take a little of this and a little of that. Then you can come back again and again until you find that right thing. Along the way, you might even find a few new right things."

"I never thought of it that way."

"That’s what Lasang Pinoy is, Gemma. It’s an adventure."

Gemma smiled.

"Actually, Pidro sent me after you. He wondered what was taking you so long."

"Tell him I’m coming."

"He told me to find you and bring you back."

"He sure is acting strange today."

"I think he’s up to something," confessed Josie.

"Like what?"

"I don’t know, but I’m kind of nervous, too."

Gemma took a little of this and a little of that until her plate was full. They returned to the table where everyone else had begun eating. Gemma found a seat next to Josie, who sat next to Pidro.

“Get up,” said Pidro, “that’s where Josie’s mom is sitting.”

As Gemma found a new place to sit, Pidro kissed Josie on the cheek. Then, he put his hand in hers and smiled, using only his free hand to eat.

As Gemma enjoyed her meal, Pidro tapped a spoon on the side of his drinking glass. It clanged in a high pitch. The festival fell silent as they looked to Pidro.

"I’m glad to see all my friends and family here today. I think Lasang Pinoy is a great time for being together and sharing friendship and good times with the ones you love."

Pidro looked around at the dinner guests. Not only were his friends and family there, but also neighbors who had gathered for the street festival. Nervously, he lowered himself, leaning on one bended knee.

"Josie...we’ve spent quite some time together and you’re my best friend in the whole world. Not only do I know you as a friend, but a lot more. That’s why I decided today was a day I shared not only with my family and yours, but that I didn’t want it to end."

Pidro pulled a small black box from his pocket and opened it up. Inside, a diamond ring sparkled. Josie’s hands gathered to her face as she began to cry.

"Josie, will you marry me?"

Josie gasped as the tears of joy rolled down her face.

"Is that a yes or a no?" he asked. Everyone laughed.

“Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!”

He embraced her and held on tightly as everyone cheered. Then, they sealed it with a kiss.

Gemma got up from her chair and ran up to Josie, hugging her tightly, too. Now, she knew why Pidro had been so crazy. He was crazy in love.

It also seemed like Gemma’s mother had begun to feel better, too. When the music began to play, Mrs. Cruz danced in the courtyard with Pidro.

The day stretched into night as everyone laughed and danced and sang.

At night’s end, Pidro and Josie went with their friends to the Dive Shop to surf under the full moon. Gemma went home with the rest of the family. She, too, glowed like the moon, her face lit with joy. Soon, Gemma would have another big sister she loved dearly.

.