Anong Ulam Natin? Filipinpo's Way Of Showing Love and Connection

ANONG ULAM NATIN? FILIPINO'S WAY OF SHOWING LOVE AND CONNECTION

"Anong ulam natin?" It is a famous line being used whenever families, friends, or even co-workers gather to eat or for breaks. A way to bond and communicate in choosing something that is accepted by everyone. Knowing one's favorite "ulam" or known to others as viand, makes people closer. 

Why? Whenever Filipinos want to greet and check in on someone, they will always ask "Kumain ka na ba?" or "Did you eat?". Checking up on someone's well-being and making sure they are taken care of is a common good Filipino trait. That is why when I got sick from Covid last March, I feel full because my family and friends keeps sending me food. It makes me feel extra special as well when they send me my favorite ones. 

Not only that, Pinoys are also known for "pasalubongs and pabaons"  wherein we make sure our loved ones have food to bring along with them or we take something from other places for surprise when we get home. Like when I was touring Hong Kong, I bought several treats for my nieces. It is a cultural idiosyncrasy that shows how Filipinos are well-versed in using food as a love language. This includes also the "hating-kapatid" or making sure food is well divided by everyone, "handa" or making preparation of several food for visitors, as well as the bonding time of boodle feats. 

Generally, Filipinos love to bond over food. We nurture and cherish one another through these shared gastronomic experiences. Nothing communicates thoughtfulness and care quite like taking a bite of your favorite ulam, courtesy of your mama, your lolo, your tita, your BFFs. In the Philippines, when we say comfort food, we truly mean it.

Giving that comfort to our loved ones is now more important than ever, what with the stress and anxiety brought on by the ongoing lockdown. While the initial shock and fear from the start of the pandemic has somewhat mellowed, most people now report experiencing lingering feelings of dull, dreary numbness. Psychologists call this condition languishing; a state where a person feels drained of vitality and joy—i.e., a serious case of the blahs. While not yet depression, it is the absence of well-being, where you start to feel unfocused, demotivated, and stagnant -- and they say it will be the world’s prevailing mood for the rest of the year.

While we have no choice but to hunker down in our homes, physically quarantined and cut off from our usual outdoor activities, it is important that we take care not only of our own mental health but the mental health of our loved ones as well. Even our most mundane social interactions are now things to be treasured, and the act of sitting down and sharing a good meal, in particular, has become one of our most meaningful emotional lifelines; a way for us to connect and support one another through these difficult and exhausting times.

After a long day at work, I was surprised that my good friend, Nikki of askmewhats.com sent me a complete set of meals at home! She knows that I am pretty lazing when it comes to cooking specially when I am busy at work. That is why I am always spoiled whenever she sends me cooked meals specially when I was sick. The latest food that she sent me is from Goodah! My first time to try Goodah food.

This sense of community is something GoodAh!!! wants to bring to every gathering, through its Salo-Salo meals. Since we are limited to events and gatherings, we can always send our loved ones Salo-Salo meals at home! 

The homegrown food chain store, already popular for its iconic take on the classic lugaw and tapsilog, today boasts an array of viands that would be mainstays in any Pinoy table spread, all put together in convenient bundle sets you can order through delivery and share with your family and friends, hassle-free.

There are four different Salo-Salo meals to choose from. Those craving good savory meals can choose between Set A with Pork Ribs, Kare-Kare, and Garlic Kangkong with Pork and Set B with Pork Bistek, Pork Sinigang, and Daing na Bangus. If you want a more celebratory feel, you can also opt for Set C with GoodAh!!!’s signature Herbed Chicken, Pork Liempo, and Pinakbet, or Set D with large Crispy Pata, Beef Nilaga, and Lumpiang Shanghai. Each Salo-Salo set costs less than P1,000, but what’s even better is that GoodAh!!! is currently offering at least 20 percent discount on all of them.

I received the Set C from Nikki and I love the Pinakbet, Herbed Chicken, and Pork Liempo! So, this is the perfect time to do a customary welfare check on your family and friends, banish those blahs by offering comfort beyond what mere words can express, the way only the best food can. Because for us Pinoys, nothing could be more welcome than a good helping of delicious Kare-Kare, or mouthwatering Crispy Pata, or piping-hot Sinigang to warm the heart.

“O, kumusta na kayo? Are you GoodAh?”

Goodah!!! is available for 25-hour delivery via GrabFood and Food Panda. Customers can also call its Sucat, Bicutan, Timog, and Granada branches during store hours, and check out their website and Facebook to find out more. All meals are prepared following strict safety protocols befitting a restaurant that’s been giving its customers top-notch service for three decades.