 | Historia de Hermanos | |
It’s a cool evening in the 1860’s – Manila is in a calm but frenzied rush as the Christmas season beckons. Strictly exclusive restaurants are filled with pure Kastillas, as they feast on traditional Spanish food and wine. Amidst the flamenco music being played by guitaristas, chatter and laughter from frailes, oficiales and the who’s who in Spanish-controlled Manila society fills the air.
With the Church bells ringing in the background and elderly ladies reciting prayers to herald in the festive time of the year, the illustrados, mestizos and educados, middle-society Filipinos, and even indios gather together in their own private places, not only to celebrate the onset of the season, but to discuss aspirations, doctrines and plans of gaining liberation and independence from Spain. It may be in one of these gatherings that a del Pilar, a Lopez-Jaena or even a Rizal was a passionate participant in the whispered discussions.
Their table fare consists of Spanish sausages, meats and cheeses. They combine these with native Filipino delicacies such as longganisa, dried beef and carabao cheese (kesong puti) to produce sumptuous meals to go with their wines and native brews. They shared, bonded and dreamt amidst a unique blend of small dishes that can be termed as “Kastinoy Tapas”. Uniquely Filipino with a Spanish twist. Through these interactions, heroes are born, ideas are formulated and brotherhoods are established. Brotherhoods – brothers – HERMANOS!
