Epiphany

Halo Halo - Mix Mix


One of my favorite desserts and beloved among Filipinos. I have known and eaten halo halo since childhood. 
I would watch my Titas make it from scratch with a plastic crank ice machine and all the ingredients laid out on the table. I would always eat the ice cream and leche flan first - because I didn't like the beans inside (and still kinda don't). 
I would watch how happy it made my mom while she ate it (even though her favorite dessert is, in fact, cassava cake).
It would be so refreshing on those hot, humid Philippine days. Sobrang iinit. 

And yet, never saw it as a metaphor to how I grew up.

I am just now coming to this seemingly obvious realization that I was Halo Halo - a mix mix kid. 
A lot of experiences and moving parts that shape this person who is now Kika. 
It faintly came over me while reading Justine Ramos' collection of poetry by the same name, but I didn't have this concrete revelation until more recently. I really love how it sounds, and I'm a little sad this didn't hit me sooner.  
(To be honest, I think listening to Pilipino Mo Ang Pilipinas by Angeline Quinto may have been a part of the inspiration.)



Halo Halo is a perfectly sweet treat.
I think lately I've focused a lot on the negative things about my blended heritage, which I don't blame myself for. However, in spirit of embracing halo halo, I'm making it a goal to center my attention more on all the things I love and appreciate about growing up with my mom, and being Filipino. 

I get to count my blessings.

For living a privileged life.
For my mom making the choice to move to a foreign (Western) country in search of better things.
For the Filipino community that I had as family that filled the void of the ones overseas. They know who they are.
For being able to share my culture with others. Sharing food with people I love is a big value for me (sorry, Joey).

In light of it all, I have renamed my blog to truly reflect what I've been writing about.
You'll now see it as Growing Up Halo Halo, on halohalokikamay.blogspot.com. It feels very right, like a puzzle piece finding its place.

So here's to eating, loving, encompassing more Halo Halo!



Here's the recipe my nanay uses to make her Halo Halo: 

For the Base -
Shaved ice
Evaporated milk
Condensed milk    
Sweet palm fruit 
Macapuno (Young sweet coconut strings)
Banana plantain (sweetened with white sugar in a pan)
Jackfruit 
Sweet red munggo beans 
Nata de coco (coconut jelly)

For the topping - 
Ice cream (you better be using ube ice cream)
Ube jam (also known as ube halaya)
Leche flan 

The parts I like to add are crispy rice or cornflakes, and sago. And maybe if I'm feeling sassy, some mangga!

You can find a lot of these ingredients by Buenas in the glass jars, at an Asian grocery store. 
(Let me know if I should post a photo)
Kain tayo!










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