Key Points
- Rice has been a major part of the Philippine diet for centuries. It was a mainstay even before the Spanish colonisation, and its cultivation and consumption have deep historical roots.
- Rice is often considered the heart of Filipino cuisine and is a key element in various celebrations and rituals.
- From the staple plain rice to rice cakes and other delicacies, its versatility makes it a favourite.
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Kuwentong Palayok: Bakit nga ba “kanin is life” para sa mga Pinoy?
SBS Filipino
23/02/202417:06
For Filipinos, a meal is not a 'real meal' without rice.
Many have tried: how about chips or other kinds of starch as a substitute? But simply, nothing else will do.
"Here in Australia, there are a variety of food available. Staples include fish and chips and, pizza. For me, those aren't real meals! They're just snacks. I need rice," Nae Dizon, chef and content creator, shared.
Rice is filling and grows warm in the belly.
"I need rice," Nae Dizon, chef and content creator, shared. Credit: Lightitup_now/Envato
And even though, as is, rice is unseasoned and almost bland, rice partners well with our beloved Filipino dishes.
Why this deep devotion to rice? There are many reasons.
Rice was part of pre-colonial Philippines
Before the Philippines was colonised by Spain, Filipinos were already cultivating rice. The rice terraces was carved out more than 2,000 years ago, way before the Spanish conquistadores arrived.
However, since rice production was difficult that time, rice wasn’t staple food yet and was considered a highly-prized crop eaten by only the elite and only on special occasions. Indigenous Filipinos were eating root crops as their day-to-day staple food instead.
e rice terraces was carved out more than 2,000 years ago, way before the Spanish conquistadores arrived. Credit: wirestock/Envato
According to and by food historian Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, the Spanish colonisers implemented a food quota to stave off hunger.
To hasten production of food, they brought agricutural tools like the Southern Chinese plow pulled by a carabao.
Rice production increased, and more and more Filipinos began to eat rice on a daily basis for sustenance.
Rice is part of Filipino cultural traditions
Beyond being part and parcel of the Filipino dining table, rice is deeply embedded in Philippine traditions.
Newlyweds are traditionally showered with grains of rice as a sign of blessing, and according to custom, rice is also required before moving into a new home to ward off evil spirits.
This reverence for rice is further demonstrated through various rice festivals celebrated across provinces like the Pahiyas in Quezon and the Sinanggiyaw in Cebu.
This reverence for rice is further demonstrated through various rice festivals. Credit: Reynante Lacbain/Pexels
Rice is filling
Rice is literally 'life,' because it can be counted on to stave off hunger.
For budget-strapped Filipinos, if they cannot afford to cook or, buy dishes or viands, rice is enough to satisfy hunger and fill their families’ bellies.
If there’s no budget for dishes, sawsawan can be used to flavor the rice. Credit: puhimec/Envato
Rice comes first first: if there’s no budget for dishes, sawsawan like bagoong or asin will do to flavor the rice.
Though rice is considered cheap and affordable, the price of rice is increasing – it was P56.21 during the second phase of February 2024, higher than the average retail prices in January 2024.
The price of rice continues to remain volatile, as the Philippines deals with rice supply challenges.
The sad reality
In September 2023, the Philippines overtook China as the world’s top importer of rice – around 3.9 MT of rice, according to the USDA for January 2022 to December 2023.
Why do we import so much rice when the country has over million hectares of farmland? That is the burning question.
The answer: Filipino farmers can’t keep up, and there’s climate change to contend with.
Filipino farmers can’t keep up, and there’s climate change to contend with. Credit: sommai/Envato
Instead of large-scale farming businesses, they’re given tractors or fertilisers. Instead of earning, they amass huge debts.
Rice is life
The next time one hears "rice is life" said in jest, they would know that beyond that is a wealth of profound meanings and cultural significance.
Rice is the Filipinos’ past, present, and future.
Beyond being a mere foodstuff, rice embodies the essence of Filipino heritage, history and culture, and why rice seemingly pervades the heart and soul of Filipinos.
