The holiday season in the Philippines is filled with endless reunions, weddings, and karaoke sessions with friends and families. It is the time of the year again of binge-eating and pairing our staple food with lechon, hamon, or another carb such as pasta. Whether you come from a far-flung province, practice a different religion, or speak a dying language, you cannot escape from rice this holiday season.
Be riceponsible during the holidays and try this rice-savvy barometer to check if you’ve been on the right track.
1. Today you are tasked to cook rice for your family of five and you decide to…
A. Cook for five, with extra amount for one or two more people, because you never
know who might drop in during dinner! Leftovers could be thrown anyway.
B. Cook just enough for the family; wasting rice is a big no-no.
2. You’re in the middle of a big family reunion awash with mouth-watering and delectable dishes. With so many choices, your plate shall contain…
A. Half for pork lechon, half for cooked rice
B. A quarter each for rice, vegetables, meat, and fruits
3. There’s remaining rice in the fridge from a birthday dinner. Options?
A. I will not eat it – not a big fan of cold rice, in the fridge at that.
B. I will reheat the rice and eat it.
4. You’ve put way too much water on your sinaing. What will you do?
A. Dispose it. You can always cook another batch.
B. Transform it into a tasty lugaw. Add egg or chicken and a dash of salt and pepper, and you’re good to go!
5. Which is your rice-eating philosophy?
A. The more you eat rice, the better.
B. Eat right, eat smart.
6. There was a big event yesterday and your rice cooker is still full. Which of the following would you do?
A. I will cook rice for breakfast. Newly cooked rice has always been my favorite.
B. Sinangag everyone? I shall spice up the cooked rice with onions, garlic, meat and vegetables, a bit of salt, oil, and presto! Rice has been transformed into a Filipino-style Yang Chow.
7. You are what you eat. Food is the best foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Which of the following would you eat toward becoming a healthier you?
A. More processed and frozen goodies. No one’s too old for fried hams and sausages!
B. Brown rice – it is more nutritious since it retains most of the nutrients from the rice bran. It also helps reduce the incidence of diabetes.
8. Some fast-food chains offer marketing promos. Unlimited rice?
A. Yes, I think it’s a good strategy for customers. Besides, I can save money by taking advantage of it.
B. No. The promo tempts consumers to eat more rice than what they need.
9. Rice loyalist or food-neutral?
A. Loyalist. I restrict my energy source too much from rice.
B. I have my alternatives to rice such as banana, potato, cassava, kamote, corn, and gabi. Diversified diet is recommended to be healthier.
10. What would you do if you were having a media noche and a relative can’t seem to finish what he’s eating?
A. I wouldn’t mind. In fact some people waste more rice than he does.
B. I will encourage him to finish his food and remind him to get just enough rice next time so he won’t have to waste anything.
If you answered:
Mostly As – You are in the “hit list” of our Be Riceponsible campaign. Say goodbye to leftovers and hello to rice pledge. It is time to reduce your wastage, try other rice alternatives, eat brown rice, and help our country be self-sufficient. We believe in you.
Mostly Bs – Congratulations! You are a riceponsible Filipino. Continue to be an example to others not only during the holiday season but all throughout the year.
