JOEL'S JOURNAL
A spoonful of halo-halo, a bite of banana cue, or a whiff of grilled liempo transports me to the past, as if they are time capsules carrying memories of my childhood summers.
From gracing tables celebrating important milestones, to being a well-deserved treat and a comforting pick-me-up, cake is more than just cake.
Today, in my own kitchen—in a city far from my lola’s house—you’d find a piece of paper scribbled with her recipe tucked in the shelf of staple seasonings and fancy salts. I haven’t tried cooking it, but it gives me a lot of comfort knowing it’s there—that I can access her recipe, that I can access my family.
When words are inadequate, food steps in as a powerful symbol of thoughtfulness, gratitude, and appreciation.
