LASA NG REPUBLIKA DILA AT BANDILA: SEARCH FOR THE NATIONAL PALATE OF THE PHILIPPINES BY IGE RAMOS

This is the English version of the book.

A culinary history work examining how food shapes Filipino identity, asking the central question: what makes food truly Filipino? The book explores debates around national dishes such as adobo, sinigang, and kinilaw, using them as entry points into larger discussions about tradition, adaptation, regional diversity, and cultural memory.

Part of the Lasa ng Republika series, it follows Ige Ramos’ search for a “national taste,” looking at how certain dishes and flavor profiles come to symbolize the country. Useful for understanding Filipino cuisine beyond recipes, especially for cultural storytelling, heritage research, and contextualizing Philippine food within history and nation-building.