Delicious Stories And Inspiring Food

A list of winners from the recently concluded Mga Kwentong Pagkain storytelling competition

- Jules Vivas

Food does not only satisfy our stomachs. It is also a pow-erful tool for storytelling. Food is who we are, where we come from. It determines our way of living, our beliefs, and who we want to be. Our biographies are compressed into dishes and bites while memories garnish our stories. Through the food we consume and the food we cook—or don’t—we stake our claims to our identities, as if announcing to the world, “this is me, this is what I eat.”

Food with a story to tell has been shared and passed from generation to generation,with each generation topping it with memories. This is how Mama Sita Foundation supports foodies to continue Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes’ passion for upholding Filipino culinary culture and heritage and celebrating Philippine cuisine.

The pandemic created a unique setting for the fourth Mga Kwentong Pagkain, a contest organized by the non-profit organization, as its entire program was held entirely online even the awarding of the winners.

With over 50 entries submitted from its launch, contestants proved that the spirit of sharing food stories could remain strong throughout the years. These food stories from all over the country were in written, video, or illustrated format, collected through the contest website.

Entries were reviewed by a panel composed of food historian Felice Sta. Maria, Ateneo de Manila University professor emeritus Fernando Zialcita, author Guillermo Ramos Jr., columnist