Like many Italians, I have an issue with food. It is not just about liking food, but it is part of our culture to choose the best ingredients (like using only natural and fresh choices) and to (sometimes even roughly) discuss for hours about recipes. My relatives would  have long food discussions before and after special occasions and gatherings like Sunday lunch or Christmas dinner. Well, food is definitely one of the most distinctive characteristics of Italy. Maybe some of my countrymates tend to be a bit radical with Italian cuisine rules, but I usually see that once they travel to the Philippines and “break the ice” with local food, they really fall in love with it.

This is me, eating pancit during Pahiyas Festival (Lucban).

After almost 2 years of living in the Philippines and of marriage with a Filipina (and highly-skilled home chef!) woman, some of the…