MASARAP DAW ANG PARES LALO NA KUNG MAY KAPARES? - A Food Writing by Andrea Ordonez

 MASARAP DAW ANG PARES LALO NA KUNG MAY KAPARES?

by Andrea Ordonez

"The quote that eating should always be done in pairs is a claim I often find ridiculous. It seems absurd on the surface; why would the simple act of eating require a companion and should be perform in pairs? However, upon thinking about it, this seemingly ridiculous statement sparks intriguing thoughts."

September 19, 2024

    It was a very tiring morning when I gathered my classmates to practice our dance. Shouting and dancing with full energy was not easy for me, as I am stuck with this tiny body. But it was fun, because dancing is one of my passions.   After that very tiring routine, my tummy started to protest because of hunger. So, two of my friends invited me to eat beef pares even though it was blazing hot. Who am I to question and say no, right? At that exact moment, my inner body starts to celebrate because of the aroma of the soup. The scent never leaves my nostrils as they sauté the onions, ginger and garlic and I am not complaining! "Ting!", the sound of the bell covers the four corners of the room of hunger killer. As the sound vibrates in our ear, we all smile at each other, feeling excited to eat. Janelle and I carried the trays as Katherine took a video of our suffering— it was so heavy! Katherine led the prayer before we eat, and after that, we did not chat nor talk to each other and just mind our own businesses; we are in our own world savoring each bite. As the beef touches my tongue, the stew is tenderized to perfection! Like a cotton candy that lasted in my tongue and stayed in my mind, it was soft and inviting. And when I poured more and moreee ground pepper— it was heavenly good! The soup added more tenderness to the overall food, as it was not too sweet, sour, nor plain— because it was exactly like I imagined. For only 60 pesos, the beef in it was expected as it was not too plentiful, it's just enough for the rice. Speaking of rice, they do not serve ordinary rice; it was fried rice full of garlic on top! It was served beautifully and tasted heavenly! The combination is enough to kill and close the gap of my hunger. This experience was memorable and truly special, they make every bite a delight. 

    As we ended the day, our satisfied stomachs were matched with our satisfying smiles and newly identified bond. The shared pleasure of the delicious meal lasted in our mind and blossomed a new friendship, making this Pares memory more vividly memorable.

Totoo nga, masarap nga ang pares kung may kapares. 

Food writing is a nonfiction category of writing that focuses on the topic of food. It often takes the form of creative nonfiction in memoirs and essays, but it can also include histories and scientific explanations.