Politics and Food

The Philippine presidential race is heating up, with President Benigno Aquino’s endorsement of Mar Roxas as his heir apparent. Contributing writer Marites D. Vitug gives us a political situationer, "Stakes Are High in the '16 Presidential Election," that gives food for thought to all Filipino voters, wherever they may be.

The cuisine of Batangas is the focus of food expert Michaela Fenix as she regales us with savory delights that make the southern Tagalog province a necessary stop when doing a food tour of the Philippines. "Straightforward, Simple Batangas Cuisine" will make your mouth water, and it's just one of the chapters of Fenix's excellent book, Country Cooking: Philippine Regional Cuisines.

From food we shift to fabrics as writer Serina Aidasani introduces us to Art Almeida, an artist and textile designer, in "He Leaves You in Stitches." Almeida, who runs his family corporation Genknit, walks us through the intricate process of textile design, a niche market for sure, that requires not just talent, but also dedication and intuition.

In San Francisco last week, a tribute to one of the greatest Filipino writers in English, Nick Joaquin, took place. There cannot be enough ways to honor the memory of this literary great; thus, we ask you to Read Again his nephew Tony Joaquin's "My Uncle, Nick Joaquin," which we published last year.

This week's recipe in the Happy Home Cook: Marvin Gapultos' version of Sardines in Spicy Tomato Sauce, from his book The Adobo Road Cookbook: A Filipino Food Journey -- from Food Blog, to Food Truck, and Beyond. Also featured this week is Goldilocks' Taisan Loaf Cake.

Our Video of the Week is on Willy Layug, the ecclesiastical sculptor from Pampanga, courtesy of CNN Philippines.

And for my blog, my ruminations on Twilight Time.