halo halo | The Adobo Chronicles

SAN FRANCISCO, California (The Adobo Chronicles) — San Francisco Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve health warnings on ads for sugary sodas and some other drinks, saying such beverages contribute to obesity, diabetes and other health problems.

It is believed that San Francisco would be the first place in the country to require such a warning on ads if it receives a second approval from the Board of Supervisors next week and the mayor signs it into law.

The ordinance defines sugar-sweetened beverages as drinks with more than 25 calories from sweeteners per 12 ounces.

That puts the popular Filipino beverage/snack, halo-halo, way above that category.

Halo-halo, is shaved ice served in a tall glass (certainly more than 12 ounces), mixed with ingredients like beans, coconut, sweet fruits, nuts, milk, flan and lots of sugar — not including the scoop of ice cream topping. A full version of halo-halo with ice cream could easily contain as much as 100 calories of sweeteners.

San Francisco Filipino restaurants serving halo-halo opposed the ordinance, claiming that it will not only cost them extra money to include the health warning in their ads, but could potentially discourage customers from ordering the delicious snack.

The FilAm community had mixed (halo) reactions to the ordinance, with some saying that it is good for the health of the community, and others arguing that it was about time to elect a Filipino supervisor so that their concerns and issues are sufficiently represented in San Francisco’s liberal politics.

Well, well.

Obama with his Hawaiian shave ice. Inset: Filipino halo halo

Honolulu, Hawaii (Exclusive to The Adobo Chronicles) – Most people know that Hawaiian shave ice is one of President Barack Obama’s favorite snacks. Without fail, he would have a cup of shave ice every time he’s out and about while vacationing in Hawaii.

Today was no exception. Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia were out driving in Kalihi and they stopped by Shimazu Store which sells Hawaiian shave ice. As usual the president ordered his favorite snack while daughter Sasha ordered something else on the menu: Filipino halo halo.

Halo halo is like the Hawaiian shave ice but is more elaborate with additional ingredients that include sweet beans, coconut, jackfruit, purple yam, rice krispies and is usually topped with ice cream.

Sasha had her dad taste a spoonful of her halo halo and the president absolutely loved it. He then dumped the Hawaiian shave ice and ordered his own halo halo.

It looks like Obama will be asking White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford to switch the official dessert to halo halo from now on. Comerford is Filipino American.

Michelle Obama, who has consistenly advocated for exercise and healthy eating, was not happy. A small bowl of halo halo has about 153 calories (and that’s without the ice cream) and contains 3.9 grams of saturated fat.