What are the fruits that will cleanse your kidneys fast?

 

Nasim Ullah

Food Science and Nutrition.

Former Managing Director. at Hayat Sweet.1993–2024

What are the fruits that will cleanse your kidneys fast?

Fruits That Will Cleanse Your Kidneys Fast: A Natural Approach to Kidney Health

Maintaining kidney health is crucial for overall well-being, as these vital organs filter waste and excess substances from the blood. Incorporating certain fruits into your diet can help cleanse your kidneys and promote their optimal function. Here are some fruits known for their kidney-cleansing properties:

1. Cranberries

Cranberries are well-known for their ability to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) by inhibiting bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls. This property also makes them beneficial for kidney health, as they help reduce the risk of infection and inflammation in the kidneys. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, which support the kidneys in filtering out toxins more efficiently.

2. Blueberries

Blueberries are another antioxidant powerhouse. They contain compounds that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which can help protect kidney cells from damage. The high vitamin C content in blueberries also supports the immune system, aiding in overall kidney health.

3. Apples

Apples are rich in fiber and antioxidants, which can help detoxify the kidneys. The high pectin content in apples binds to toxins in the intestines, facilitating their elimination and reducing the burden on the kidneys. Additionally, apples have anti-inflammatory properties that support kidney function.

4. Lemons

Lemons are well-known for their ability to prevent kidney stones due to their high citric acid content. Citric acid binds to calcium, preventing the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Drinking lemon water regularly can help flush out toxins and reduce the risk of kidney stones.

5. Watermelon

Watermelon is a natural diuretic, meaning it helps increase urine production, which can aid in flushing out toxins from the kidneys. It is also hydrating and rich in antioxidants like lycopene, which protect kidney cells from damage.

6. Grapes

Grapes, especially red and purple varieties, are rich in antioxidants, including resveratrol, which helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidneys. Consuming grapes can support kidney health by promoting the elimination of waste products and reducing the risk of kidney disease.

7. Strawberries

Strawberries are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, all of which contribute to kidney health. Their anti-inflammatory properties help protect the kidneys from damage, while their high water content aids in detoxification.

8. Pomegranate

Pomegranate juice is known for its high antioxidant content, which can help protect the kidneys from oxidative stress and inflammation. Pomegranate also has diuretic properties that promote the elimination of toxins through urine.

9. Oranges

Oranges are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which support immune function and help reduce inflammation in the kidneys. Their high water content also aids in keeping the kidneys hydrated and functioning optimally.

10. Cherries

Cherries have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can benefit kidney health. They help reduce the risk of gout and kidney stones by lowering uric acid levels in the blood, which can otherwise crystallize and form stones in the kidneys.

In summary

Incorporating these fruits into your diet can provide a natural and effective way to cleanse your kidneys and promote overall kidney health. Remember to consume these fruits in their natural form or as fresh juices without added sugars to maximize their benefits. Along with a balanced diet, staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are key factors in supporting kidney function and overall wellness.

BINI eyes global stage

The girls of Bini are launched as the new endorsers of fast food giant Jollibee during the event, ‘Cheesy Yumburger Best Fest,’ at Trinoma. The eight-member group — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Maloi, Mikha, Sheena, and Stacey — have also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their fans, also called Blooms, whose strong support has been instrumental in their three-year journey to becoming the leading P-pop girl group.

Photos by Anthony Abad

Lyka Nicart - The Philippine Star 

June 24, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — BINI is more proud than pressured to represent Original Pilipino Music (OPM) on a global stage.

The eight-member girl group — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Maloi, Mikha, Sheena, and Stacey — recently expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their fans, also called Blooms, whose strong support has been instrumental in their three-year journey to becoming the leading P-pop girl group.

Debuting in June 2021 after two years of training under ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy, they have since been dubbed by fans as the “Nation’s Girl Group.” They would become a nationwide success after releasing Pantropiko in November 2023. The song went viral and launched a dance craze on TikTok and other social media platforms.  

By March this year, they were recognized as the first Filipino pop group with the most monthly listeners on Spotfiy and the first to top the Billboard Philippine Songs chart.

Early this month, they scored a more impressive Spotify record after becoming the first Filipino act to break into the Global Top Artist chart at the 193rd spot. They currently enjoy 6.8 million monthly listeners. 

Besides Pantropiko, their other hits are Karera, Salamin, Salamin and Lagi.

“We just want to say thank you so much to our Blooms and to everyone supporting our songs. We couldn’t have gotten here if it weren’t for you guys,” said Mikha. “And to be representing OPM, it’s such an honor. We promise we will not disappoint and we will continue to take OPM into the international scene.”

Mikha also said that they intend to handle the pressure positively, using it to get better. “We make sure that the pressure doesn’t get to us, but we use it in a way where in we’re able to improve,” she added. 

Gwen, another member, stressed that they’ve always tried to incorporate Pinoy culture into their music and performances. To recall, their pre-debut song was their dance version of the Smokey Mountain hit Da Coconut Nut.  

“From the beginning, we always try to show Philippine culture in our songs, performances, and style,” Gwen said.

She is happy that their efforts are being noticed, which helps Filipino talent get more recognition.

“We’re very happy na ngayon nare-recognize na siya. And if naka-contribute na po kami ‘dun, we’re thankful kasi mas lumalawak na po ‘yung naabot ng Filipino talent.”

BINI got to share their thoughts on OPM representation internationally when they were launched as the latest brand ambassadors of the homegrown but global fast food chain Jollibee.

They were officially introduced as the new faces of the brand’s Double Cheesy Yumburger last June 17 at the TriNoma Mall Activity Center in Quezon City. During the event dubbed as “Cheesy Yumburger Best Fest,” attendees and guests got a first look at BINI’s 47-second music video commercial for the fast food brand, which reworked and featured the group’s viral hit Pantropiko.

“It’s about feeling good, having fun, and enjoying the moment, which is what our music is all about, too,” said Jhoanna of their new endorsement project. 

For BINI, teaming up with a proudly Filipino brand feels like a dream.

“It’s a brand that’s just as much fun and as vibrant as we are. Also, being a proud Filipina group, we’re so happy that we get to be part of the Jollibee fam,” Jhoanna also said.

Meanwhile, BINI enthralled fans with live performances of Salamin, Salamin and Karera during the Best Fest event hosted by Robi Domingo.

The girls, sans Aiah, also interacted with fans in a mini dance-off on stage, highlighting the key choreography from BINI’s TV commercial.

Blooms are in for exciting treats as the latest collaboration — a fusion of food, fun, and fandom — is set to bring “plenty of surprises” such as special appearances and exclusive content.

BINI is set to hold their first solo three-day concert, titled “BINIVerse,” at the New Frontier in Quezon City on June 28, 29, and 30. Tickets are already sold out.

I am speechless

PEOPLE use speechless in these cases to show how stunned or moved they were, even though they were probably still capable of speech. “I’m speechless” often really means “I’m shocked!”

If you are speechless, you are temporarily unable to speak, usually because something has shocked you.

Is speechless positive or negative? Oftentimes, “speechless” has a negative connotation, because of its connection to anger, jealousy, etc. For example, “My mom was speechless when she heard me cuss out my grandmother.” In such a sentence, “tongue-tied” wouldn’t be appropriate.

Anyway, sometimes there is no sense in crying, but we feel paralyzed. A good friend of mine told me that a couple of days ago. Words cannot describe it and words fail me, but I wouldn’t be a writer, if I couldn’t express the right words at the right moment.

After the long talk with my friend, I must confess that, many times, I also felt speechless and paralyzed.

Look at this: follow ups seem to become the new national character. Indifferent people in our surroundings let us feel like that every day. Indifference seems to become one of the vagaries in today’s new society.

We try to get an appointment, but the other side seems to be very busy – every day of the week! Of course, we don’t want to encroach on other people’s time. Let’s try again tomorrow! How do you feel, if you observe certain employees, who should be in service of the people, instead of reading a magazine, doing private telephone calls, doing (important!) text messages and getting down-right cheeky, if we started uncounted follow ups. Then, suddenly, we have to learn that “the boss is out of town” or so… GRABE!

Yes, I might fall out of favor with some readers with today’s column, but guys, what’s the difference between being busy, making a good deal of money out of something and just being indifferent or “not in the mood” to entertain people.

I can tell you frankly: Many people feel paralyzed and experience a terrible loss of power of movement or sensation while dealing with uselessness, if indifference, arrogance and ignorance determine the different situations in our daily life.

If the promise has been given to help or support someone, it shouldn’t be broken by endless excuses and terrible stalling tactics. A “YES” is a “YES” and a “NO” should be a “NO” and not “MAYBE”, if a promise can’t be held understandable and comprehensive.

I don’t like to let somebody wait for an answer or during an appointment. I try to look after it or take care of it. If I have been informed that somebody tried to contact me, but missed me, I really do everything to find him or her. What’s bad about it? Sorry, I really don’t like being late or “remaining silent”.

How many good ideas and highly appreciated business deals had gone with the wind because of uncomprehending, unsympathetic and unappreciated everyday deals between fellow creatures? Can you get the hang of it?

Yes, sometimes I also feel uncomfortable while observing lost chances. Remember; we don’t get anything for nothing in the whole word – sure! But first, we should learn how to keep promises, to help each other, to be honest and to be one of the leaders of national stabilization and consolidation.

What are some things you should never do in Germany as a tourist?

 

Thomas L. Johnson

Former Top Writer (2015-18) & Top Question Writer (2016-18)

I sometimes feel like I have answered this question 100 times, but maybe that is because I have discovered so many ways of screwing up as a tourist in Germany.

• If you are one of those jerks who typically hogs the left lane to force faster cars to pass you on the right, don’t. No left lane lollygagging in Germany.
• If you are one of those people who think it is the height of manners to hide your left hand on your lap when you eat, don’t. Two fisted eating is the norm in Germany. Switching fork and knife from hand to hand as you cut meat or veggies is something that will get you looks.
• If you have been paying attention at all, you know that you will be shamed and even fined if you put your shod feet up on a train seat or other piece of furniture. You also know that crossing on anything but a green light outside of certain neighborhoods of Berlin is considered akin to child abuse. You are to be an example to the children.
• You should never use the hotel sauna or steam room if you will be offended when the beefy couple you saw at breakfast fully clothed is sweating away fully unclothed. Just don‘t stare.
• You should never order a bottomless cup of coffee or expect a glass of free ice water with your meal. You should order your beer or bottled water and just enjoy the privilege of keeping the restaurant from going bankrupt.
• You should not think the waitstaff is rude if they do not come by every ten minutes to ask if everything is okay. When you want to pay, you need to make eye contact and tell that person you want to pay. And be prepared to pay with cash.
• Finally, as a tourist, you should relax and enjoy the best Germany has to offer. No country puts more effort into being more tourist friendly. Even the small towns will have a competent tourist office.

Fete de la Musique begins 30th year in the Philippines on high note

 

Fete de la Musique begins 30th year in the Philippines on high note

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

June 22, 2024 | 12:12pm

MANILA, Philippines — Fluctuating weather did not stop Filipinos from enjoying the kick-off of Fete de la Musique Philippines 2024 on Friday, the event's 30th anniversary of marking World Music Day.

Fete de la Musique first began in France in 1982, and it eventually found its way to Philippine shores 12 years later.

In its early years in the Philippines, the event was held in Remedios Circle with just three bands and around 40 attendees. Over the years, it moved to Malate and then grew in popularity when it was held in El Pueblo in Ortigas. 

The event has found a home at the iconic Greenbelt 3 Park, where the main stage returned yesterday, June 21, the exact date when World Music Day is celebrated globally.

Following a 30-minute delay because of a sudden downpour — a canopy was set after a similar mishap occured last year — the main stage began with performances by Shanni and Jason Dhakal, the latter backed by Lustbass.

Band Sinosikat supported jazz singer Jose Miguel for three of his songs before completing a set on their own, then they were followed by Bicolana singer-songwriter Dwta.

Deputy Chief of Mission of the French Embassy to the Philippines Rémy Tirouttouvarayane and Fete de la Musique 2024 project managers Sana Schifferer, Noe Fuentes and Ziera de Veyra thanked the crowd for their attendance to this year's event. 

After a quick photo op and an invitation to more than 40 free nationwide pocket stages on June 28, the Jewelmer Jazz Band — composed of student musicians — took over the stage.

The Greenbelt 3 Park crowd grew with an upbeat hour-long set by French DJ duo Pfel & Greem of C2C, who have done Fete de la Musique in their home country.

The energy of the crowd was sustained as Autotelic, Morobeats, and Dilaw performed in succession.

The crowd sang along to Autotelic hits like "Languyin" and "Laro," then participated in Morobeats' many hip-hop tracks that further hyped the entire area.

Dilaw was the clear highlight for many in attendance with its energetic vocalist, Leonard "Dilaw" Obrero, dancing onstage, wading into the audience, and endlessly quipping throughout the band's set.

Capping off the performances was Any Name’s Okay, the band's first time on the Fete de la Musique main stage after doing numerous pocket stages the past seven years.

Most of the pocket stages are in Makati's Poblacion area and will coincide with the district's fiesta celebrations.

This year, there are also 70 destination stages, the most in Fete de la Musique to date, across Luzon (El Nido, Naga, Baguio, Pampanga, Puerto Galera, Baler, Los Banos, Albay, Zambales, Laguna, Masbate, Cavite); Visayas (Cebu, Siquijor) and Mindanao (Siargao, South Cotobato, Davao, Cagayan de Oro).

October 30 is now the Philippines' National Day of Charity

 A homeless woman sleeps inside her two-wheel push cart serving as her house on wheels, as she and other homeless wait for food distribution at a catholic missionary feeding center in Manila on September 22, 2022.

AFP / Ted Aljibe

Kristine Daguno-Bersamina - Philstar.com

June 22, 2024 | 11:02am

The Presidential Communications Office on Saturday announced that October 30 will be commemorated every year as the National Day of Charity as part of the government's commitment to promoting and uplifting the lives of Filipinos under a “Bagong Pilipinas.”

“Bagong Pilipinas, as the overarching theme of the Administration’s brand of governance and leadership, calls for deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, and visions to emphasize compassion, solidarity and social responsibility among Filipinos,” the proclamation reads.

Proclamation No. 598, a two-page document signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 13, directs the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to lead, coordinate and supervise the commemoration.

According to the PCO, the PCSO “has shown its dedication to fulfil its mandate through the provision of medical services, the conduct of free medical and dental services, the establishment of an out-patient clinic, and its partnerships with qualified government and non-government welfare institutions/agencies that promote the well-being of the marginalized sectors of society.”

The proclamation calls on all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, to observe National Day of Charity. 

Local government units, non-government organizations and the private sector are also encouraged to participate.

In issuing the proclamation, Marcos cited Section 9, Article II of the Constitution, which mandates the promotion of a just and dynamic social order to ensure national prosperity and independence. 

Did Spain demand that Filipinos adopt Spanish surnames when the Philippines became a colony?

Norman Owen

Honorary Professor at The University of Hong Kong

There’s a lot of misinformation about this topic, to judge by other answers, so let me clear up what I can.

First, Spain did not require anyone to take Spanish (or any other) surnames when they acquired the Philippines in the 16th century. It was almost three centuries later when they first required surnames (see below), and even then most of the names on offer were Filipino, not Spanish.

So how did many Filipinos get their Spanish surnames? For centuries, the primary process would have been through baptism in the Roman Catholic Church, at which time those baptized (or their parents) would often choose (Spanish) Christian names: Cruz, Reyes, Santos, Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, etc. These might or might not be passed down from generation to generation; some families, or perhaps some parishes, were pretty consistent with “family” names, while others seem to have allowed each individual to have a “surname” of his or her own, which might or might not be the same as his/her parents or siblings. Some Filipinos held on to local (Filipino) names, especially if they reflected pre-Hispanic “nobility,” such as Lacandola, but again this was inconsistent.

My sense from much research in the archives is that at the local level most Filipinos didn’t even bother with surnames, because everyone knew who everyone was, and identified them by their given name or nickname. Only when it came to baptism, marriage, burial, or (rare) dealings with official bureaucracy would a surname even be asked for, and I suspect some people could barely remember theirs, in the same way that some of us can barely remember the ID or passwords we’re supposed to use on various computer applications. (I was able to identify one Filipina who was known by 14 different names in around twenty years!)

In the 19th century, the Spanish, trying to rationalize the administration of the Philippines (once the tail-end of their empire; now, with the loss of the Americas, the jewel in the Spanish crown), got tired of this chaos. In 1849, Governor General Narciso Claveria issued a decree that everyone should get a proper surname, selected from a Catalogo Alfabetico de Apellidos [Alphabetical Catalogue of Surnames] sent out to each province. These surnames were to be given to the entire family, so that fathers and children would all have the same names all the time, and proper records would be kept by churches, schools, and local officials, etc.

The ostensible purpose of this decree was to avoid “confusion,” including the hypothetical possibility of people marrying others to whom they were too closely related (because they lacked surnames to tell them this!). Clearly the main reason was to sort out and simplify tax collection and other administrative tasks.

Contrary to the belief of many Filipinos, the Catalogo was NOT a list of exclusively Spanish names. In 1973 the National Archives published a phostatic copy of the Catalogo, unfortunately with a poor quality of reproduction. I was the ghostwriter for the Introduction (by Domingo Abella) to this reprint and have a copy of it in my possession. Those who claim it was a directory of Spanish names have clearly not looked into it, e.g., on p33 we find, among many others, the names coppocopy, copcop, copang, copit, copcopin, copag, copari, copada, etc. (These are randomly selected from literally hundreds more on the same page; there are tens of thousands in the whole volume.) In fact the decree specifically says that Filipinos ought not to choose names like “de la Cruz, de los Santos, and some others which are so numerous that they would continue producing confusion.”

But although the decree itself is clear, and the background to it fairly evident, we know very little about its implementation. It clearly varied from province to province, presumably according to the (Spanish) governors’ choices. In Albay, for example, there is a remarkable clustering of surnames by first letter, so that in the coast from Tabaco to Tiwi most names begin with the letters B & C; in Sorsogon, from E to L; in the Iraya valley M to S, etc. The town of Oas, dominated by last names beginning with the letter “R,” was said later (jokingly) to have claimed everyone with such last names, including Rizal and Roosevelt! Yet in the neighboring province of Ambos Camarines, no such clustering occurs; the new surnames for each parish come from anywhere in the alphabet. One guess as to this discrepancy - and it is only a guess - is that in Camarines someone took the whole Catalogo around from parish to parish, whereas in Albay they tore out the pages and sent different pages to different towns.

What is obvious is that there was enormous inconsistency in the implementation of this decree. Some Filipinos managed to retain old “family” names, although they were only supposed to be able to do this if they could prove that they had used them for four generations (and even then, not “de la Cruz, de los Santos,” etc.) Some Filipinos clearly chose Hispanic names; others apparently chose from the Filipino terms included in the Catalogo. We have no idea how much the parish priests (whether Spanish or Filipino) or even parish clerks (Filipinos) influenced these choices; it is entirely possible that they, rather than the families themselves, assigned surnames to many people. It is likely that a substantial number of people just missed out on the decree entirely - colonial administration was extremely haphazard in those days - though over time, as the colonial state grew and expanded its reach, it would have become harder and harder not to have a “proper” surname.

In the end, it is likely that most Spanish surnames in the Philippines today proceed from this 1849 decree and its (imperfect) implementation. We might guess that most Filipinos (or whoever made the decisions on their behalf) thought Spanish names were better than the Filipino alternatives offered in the Catalogo, but that, again, is just a guess. But we also know that many of these surnames antedate the 1849 decree, and presumably arose from earlier baptismal choices.

Alarming prevalence of bullying in public schools

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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The school bully is still “alive and well” in public schools, still making the lives of victims miserable, 11 years after Republic Act No. 10627, known as the Anti-Bullying Law, was passed in 2013. 

This is according to a series of studies presented during a meeting of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) which highlighted the findings of several studies on bullying in the Philippines conducted by researchers from De La Salle University (DLSU).

The alarming prevalence of bullying in public schools is shown by many studies and statistics, starting from the years after the law was passed.

“The number of reported bullying cases surged from 1,158 to 20,172 in five years or from 2013 to 2018 based on the data from DepEd.”

“The results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 showed that the Philippines had the highest percentage of bullying among all participating countries and territories (OECD, 2019),” said Dr. Allan B.I. Bernardo, a university fellow from DLSU, who led the other scholars in the studies.

In the PISA 2019 results, “65 percent of Filipino students reported being victims of any type of bullying at least a few times a month, with 40 percent being bullied frequently (once a week or more).” 

“The PISA 2022 report states that one out of three Filipino students is being bullied in schools” and encountered bullying incidents multiple times a month.

What kind of environment encourages bullying incidents? The study showed that bullying is more prevalent in public schools with large class sizes, discriminatory teacher behavior, and lower levels of competition and discipline.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has established measures to prevent bullying.  One is the Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO) which gathers data from the Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline (LTCCH) where students, teachers, or parents can report concerns related to child safety and protection, including from bullying incidents.

The DepEd has set up a hotline to make reporting of bullying incidents more accessible so that those who are afraid to report to their school or division office can go directly to the central office through our hotlines.

Another measure is the Child Protection Committees (CPCs) in schools whose functions have been strengthened.

But even with these measures and the law, clearly more action is needed to prevent bullying as studies have shown the “alarming” prevalence of this unhealthy behavior. 

Bullying affects the competency levels and academic performance of students, according to a recent PISA report. Health professionals have also warned that bullying affects the mental health of the victims, as well as their physical health especially when the bullying incidents are manifested through physical harm.

The term bullying refers to “any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture, or any combination, thereof directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in a reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property,” according to DepEd Order No. 55.

A young bully is a threat to fellow students. A school environment where such behavior is not allowed can prevent a bully from developing into a neighborhood thug and become a threat to society years later. 

DepEd needs to strengthen the measures to monitor – and punish – bullying to create a peaceful environment for children to learn and develop skills for a better life. And the community’s involvement is needed to boost the prevention measures, such conducting awareness campaigns on reporting a bully, and programs to instill self-confidence among potential victims and possible bullies.

Eala barges into quarters vs former world No. 1 Sara Errani in Italy tilt

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Jun 21, 2024 09:28 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The 19-year-old Eala overpowered local bet Giorgia Pedone, 6-3, 6-3, for her first-ever quarters appearance in a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) event.

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Alex Eala crushed her fellow unseeded rival to arrange a thrilling quarterfinal showdown with former world No. 1 Sara Errani in the Veneto Open in Gaiba, Italy on Thursday, June 20.

Alex Eala books her first WTA quarterfinals appearance at the Veneto Open. (Tournament site)

The 19-year-old Eala overpowered local bet Giorgia Pedone, 6-3, 6-3, for her first-ever quarters appearance in a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) event.

But her skills will be put to test anew as she faces hometown star and fourth seed Errani, who survived the gritty plays of Ukraine’s Katarina Zavatska, 7-6 (4), 7-5. 

This wouldn’t be the first time that Eala and Errani are facing each other. The Filipina tennis sensation hopes to duplicate her previous feat against the five-time Grand Slam doubles champion at the first qualifying round of the Miami Open last March where she prevailed 6-3, 6-1.

Her latest performance is also a big boost in her bid for the qualifying round of the 2024 Wimbledon set on July 1.

Prior to beating Pedone, Eala opened her campaign in her second grass tournament with a 6-3, 7-5 triumph over France’s Carole Monnet.

 

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.