Category Archives: Food

Business, Food, Government, Law Enforcement

Senator Risa Hontiveros Files New Bill To Ban Fake Chicharron

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IMG_1974.JPGMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros is known for her dislike of “fake news.”  In fact, she herself has been a victim of fake news when she was criticized on social media for proposing a bill that would prohibit tattoos in churches and universities.   She, of course, never  filed any such proposal in the Senate.

This time, however, Hontiveros is serious about something else that is fake: chicharron.

Today, she filed Senate Bill No. 69 that would outlaw the production, sale and consumption of fake chicharron, that all-time popular pork rind snack and pulutan (appetizer) among Filipinos.

“It is a disgrace that unscrupulous entrepreneurs would create a lucrative business by fooling the consumers,” Hontiveros said.

She singled out the popular brand, “Chicharron ni Mang Juan” which is famous for its special flavored no-pork chicharron.IMG_1958

In her bill, Hontiveros demanded that Chicharron ni Mang Juan immediately cease operations and set a penalty of P50,000 and a minimum of six months in jail for any individual or business that will market fake chicharron when the new law goes into effect.

When it comes to protecting consumers, Filipinos can rely on Ms. Hontiveros, especially when they become victims of fakery.

Food, Religion

Philippine Bishops Ban ‘Balut’ For Easter Egg Hunt

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – We’re coming up to Easter Sunday and many Filipino kids are looking forward to the thrill of the Easter Egg Hunt.

Just in time for this joyous holiday and fun activity, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) today issued a pastoral letter banning the use of balut for the Easter Egg Hunt.

Balut is the favorite Filipino delicacy of boiled duck embryo.  It is a street food that’s been featured on the American TV show, “Survivor.”

In the letter, the CBCP said that the Catholic Church remains opposed to the killing of fetuses in an abortion because life starts at conception. “Our pro-life stance equally applies to duck 🦆 or chicken 🍗, so we must oppose the eating of duck embryos,” the statement said.

IMG_0493We urge our Catholic Faithful to refrain from using animal eggs, especially embryos like balut, when organizing or holding an Easter Egg Hunt. “We suggest egg-shaped chocolates,” the CBCP added.

Food, Health & Medicine, International, Science and Environment

Coming Soon To The Philippines: Plant-Based Lechon And Crispy Pata

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In the Philippines, no restaurant menu is complete without Crispy Pata (Deep-fried pig knuckles) and no family celebration is without Lechon (Roasted whole pig). The consequences could be hazardous to one’s health, possibly explaining why hypertension and heart disease are quite prevalent among Filipinos.

Well, all this might finally come to an end.

A Washington, D.C.-based firm is upping the ante in the effort to get more people eating plant-based and cell-cultured meat.  Good  Food Institute (GFI) is expanding its operations from the United Sates to the entire world, beginning with China, Brazil and Taiwan.  The Philippines 🇵🇭 may not be far behind.

In anticipation of this animal-less revolution, local forward-looking entrepreneurs are now in talks with GFI for a possible partnership to jumpstart an industry that would produce plant-based Lechon and Crispy Pata.

Researchers at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños have been tapped to explore the use of abundant local plants and vegetables like Kangkong (Spinach), Sayote (Chayote) and Talong (Eggplant) to produce great tasting meat substitutes in the laboratory  to make Lechon and Crispy Pata.  They are also looking at converting flowering plants into Chicharon Bulaklak (Fried Pork Intestines).

Here’s to a healthier, longer-lifespan Philippines!