Chef Jose? Evidences show Rizal loved cooking, fish

From left: One of Jose Rizal's archival photos; his family home's kitchen and dining area at their home in Calamba, Laguna

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Whenever we think of Jose Rizal's novel "Noli Me Tangere," the only dish that it reminds us of was Tinola.

But did you know that Rizal loved to cook and eat fish, if you take a deeper look at the different dishes in "Noli"?

In Ambeth Ocampo's "Dirty Ice Cream" book, the historian particularly noticed that in a scene in "Noli," as Maria Clara's foster sister Andeng prepares to cook, Tia Isabel takes charge and gives instructions on how to churn out different fish dishes. 

“Ayungin is good for sinigang, leave the bia for the escabeche, the dalag and buan-buan for pesa. The dalag lives long, put them in the net so they remain in the water. Lobsters to the frying pan! Banak is good for broiling wrapped in banana leaves stuffed with tomatoes," Tia Isabel said, as seen in the book.

“It is too bad that the only food we remember from Rizal's novels is the tinolang manok from the Noli. However, there are many references to food in both novels that suggest that Rizal knew how to cook or at least knew how he wanted his fish done,” Ocampo noted. 

Apart from the fish dishes, Ocampo said that Rizal not only knew the different ways of cooking fish as detailed in his “Noli;” he also sent natural science specimens to Dresden in Germany from his place of exile, Dapitan, 1892 from 1896, in exchange for books and periodicals. 

“While he is best known for the winged lizard (Draco rizali), the frog (Rhacophorous rizali) and the bug (Apogonia rizali) that bear his name, Rizal sent specimens of fish together with some descriptive drawings and attempts at classification,” Ocampo said. 

Cayetano envisions Philippines as sports tourism leader

PRESS RELEASE

June 19, 2024

“We will be a sports tourism powerhouse."

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano confidently proclaimed the Philippines' future as a leading sports tourism destination as he joined the ceremonial ball turnover for the country’s solo hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in 2025.

“What makes us a perfect venue for hosting multiple teams and multiple sports [ay] ang hospitality ng Plipino. Iba talaga,” Cayetano said on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, as the country opened its hosting of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Tournament.

“We really care, we really treat them as family. Kahit makakalaban mong team, aalagaan mo,” he added.

Leading the ceremonial turnover was Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor, who invited Cayetano, the Chairman Emeritus of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), on stage along with the co-chairpersons of the local organizing committee, Vincent Marcos and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.

Also present were Senator Pia Cayetano, PNVF President Ramon Suzara, Pasay City Mayor Emi Rubiano, Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino, FIVB Australia Head of Technical and Development Steve Tutton, and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) President Rita Subowo.

Cayetano expressed high hopes for future sporting events, saying the country’s past experience in hosting have been valuable learning opportunities that refined the Philippines' hosting capabilities.

“Ang isang challenge natin of course ay ang facilities. We’re learning. But the basics for a good community are also the basics for good hosting,” he said.

“I think there’s one thing we should focus on: supporting our own athletes. Pag ginawa natin ‘yan, sports tourism will grow,” he added.

The VNL Men’s Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena this week serves as a prelude to next year’s grand solo hosting of the FIVB. The ongoing Manila semifinals will showcase an exciting lineup of eight teams, including fan favorites such as Japan, USA, Brazil, Germany, France, and Canada.###

Magiging sports tourism leader ang Pilipinas: Cayetano

“We will be a sports tourism powerhouse."

Sa kanyang pagdalo sa ceremonial ball turnover para sa solo hosting ng bansa sa FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025, buong kumpiyansang sinabi ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano na magiging isa sa mga pangunahing destinasyon para sa sports tourism ang Pilipinas.

“What makes us a perfect venue for hosting multiple teams and multiple sports [ay] ang hospitality ng Plipino. Iba talaga,” wika ni Cayetano nitong Martes, June 18, 2024, sa pagbubukas ng Volleyball Nations League Men’s Tournament o VNL Men’s Tournament sa bansa.

“We really care, we really treat them as family. Kahit makakalaban mong team, aalagaan mo,” dagdag niya.

Nanguna sa ceremonial turnover si Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor, na siyang nag-imbita kay Cayetano, ang Chairman Emeritus ng Philippine National Volleyball Federation o PNVF, sa entablado. Kasama nila ang mga co-chairperson ng local organizing committee na sina Vincent Marcos at Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.

Kasama rin sa seremoniya sina Senador Pia Cayetano, PNVF President Ramon Suzara, Pasay City Mayor Emi Rubiano, Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino, FIVB Australia Head of Technical and Development Steve Tutton, at Asian Volleyball Confederation o AVC President Rita Subowo.

Umaasa si Cayetano na mas magiging matagumpay ang mga susunod na pagho-host ng bansa dahil sa mga aral na natutunan mula sa nakaraang pagho-host ng mga prestihiyosong sporting events.

“Ang isang challenge natin of course ay ang facilities. We’re learning. But the basics for a good community are also the basics for good hosting,” saad niya.

“I think there’s one thing we should focus on: supporting our own athletes. Pag ginawa natin ‘yan, sports tourism will grow,” dagdag pa niya.

Nagsisilbing panimula para sa grand solo hosting ng FIVB ang VNL Men’s Tournament sa Mall of Asia ngayong linggo. Kabilang sa mga kalahok sa tournament ay ang mga fan-favorites tulad ng Japan, USA, Brazil, Germany, France, at Canada. ###

PHOTO CAPTION:

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Chairman Emeritus of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), participated in the ceremonial ball turnover for the country's solo hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in 2025. “We will be a sports tourism powerhouse,” Cayetano said. He was joined by Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor as well as local organizing committee co-chairpersons Vincent Marcos and Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 as the country began its hosting of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Tournament.###

Tagalog:

Isa si Senador Alan Peter Cayetano sa mga lumahok sa ceremonial turnover ng solo hosting ng bansa para sa FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship sa 2025. “We will be a sports tourism powerhouse,” wika ni Cayetano, na Chairman Emeritus ng Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). Sa entablado, kasama ng senador sina Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor pati na rin ang mga kapwa co-chairperson niya sa local organizing committee na sina Vincent Marcos at Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco noong Martes, June 18, 2024. Ginanap ang seremonya habang kasalukuyang host ang bansa ng 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Tournament.###