NINE BEST THINGS ABOUT BEING FILIPINO-AMERICAN: VINEGAR VINEGAR VINEGAR VINEGAR VINEGAR VINEGAR VINEGAR VINEGAR VINEGAR!

Auntie Joy, Auntie Lou, and Auntie Esther, plus Baby, Honey Boy, Bong Bong, Joker, Pinky, Neneng, Sunshine, Jeprocks, Balsy, Pepsi, Cookie, Cheeto, Grace, RJ, JR, and Mary Anne, all agree that it's that sparkly sourness that makes it all special. And I'm inclined to agree.
I am not a Filipino-American, so I'm simply going with the flow.
Being agreeable and diplomatic. As is my natural inclination.

Vinegar.

Actually, however, the best thing about all those other people being Filipino-American is that I might eventually get some Adobo. Yes, I can make it myself. But even if it tastes exactly like anyone else's Adobo, it tastes better when someone's mom or auntie made it.
Vinegar is one of the ingredients.

But there's more than that. According to the video below, there are actually NINE best things about being Filipino American.
Including Halo Halo.

Halo Halo is iconic.

Talagang kahangahangang, na.

Vinegar is usually NOT one of the ingredients.


THAT'S PETER, HE BROUGHT THE DR. PEPPER


[SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2IHPIqTNcI.]


Did you notice the bottle of vinegar? I'm sure you did. Vinegar is the ever-present Filipino magic potion, and in some guise present at every meal. Often the most evident manifestation of vinegar is a little bowl with chopped or crushed garlic in pure white vinegar.
Especially good with pork, and shrimp, chicken, deep-fried food, noodles, lumpia, sisigan, pata, crunchy things, alimango, tsitsaron, batchoy, vegetables or whatever, and more pork.
Or just spooned over your rice.
Especially if there's pork.
Either in, or on.

Magdagdag suka sa lahat ng bagay; highly recommended.

Datu Puti White and Cane Vinegar

From the 'Philippine's foremost producer, marketer and distributor of quality sauces and condiments': "Datu Puti Vinegar provides "Mukhasim" sourness. It will enliven & awaken the flavors of your favorite Filipino dishes. It provides the distinct kick and spike needed for dipping and cooking applications Datu Puti, pakawalan ang tunay na asim!"
[SOURCE: NutriAsia Group.]


It's masyadong maasim, masarap to da max. Talaga.

Face-scrunchingly sour.


I once gave a bottle of homemade hot chilipepper vinegar, with garlic, peppercorns, and other spices, plus touches of citrus, salt, and sugar, to a friend. A few days later she told me that she and her husband had used the whole bottle for dinner, on their pork chops and rice, and it was ganap delicious!

Okay then. Entire bottle.

Yowza.



Mafran Banana Ketchup should've also made the list.
Making it 'ten best things'.
Seriously.



==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================