Saturday, December 5, 2009

Christmas Memory

Hello to all! I haven't participated in Beverly's PS for sometime now, but I really like her theme this season so I knew I had to be there...

She asked us to share a childhood holiday memory and this is one I'll always treasure...

I lived with my dad in Manila from 12-15 yrs old. During those years, during Christmas time, just after the midnight mass, throngs of Catholic parishioners gather round these snacks carts that sell "puto bumbong". They are sticky, delicious, purple-colored glutinous rice flour, and steamed in slim bamboo tubes, type of delicacy that's unique to the Philippines. They are topped with grated coconut and sugar and served on strips of banana leaves.

My friends and I would carol each night starting December 10th and I would save my portion so I'd be ready to buy one. Often, I would beg my dad to give me a similar amount to what I earned so I can buy two! They are my favorite Christmas treat! Since the vendors are more prolific at midnight at Christmas Day, we would help each other wake up at 11:30 and walk all the way to the church where the vendors are lined up for the after mass mob.


They are the highlight of those Christmases for me and I wish that I can taste them once more...

Thanks Beverly for such a grand idea for Pink Saturday! And thank you all for stopping by!

10 comments:

  1. On this first Saturday of December ♥Jappy Pink Saturday♥. I was away for a while and sure missed running around the blogs arnd seeing all of the goodies everyone was sharing.

    Thanks for the memory...

    It was a blessing for you to make my morning so much fun. Hoping that you and those you care about spend a wonderful weekend making memories that will last a lifetime☺

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  2. Hi, Chandy! What a precious memory. I read Christine's a little earlier, and it sounds like you two really share that memory as one of the best! :-)

    I enjoyed reading this and seeing the dish.

    Happy Pink Saturday to you...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  3. Hello Chandy!

    Puto bumbong. HHmmmm I grew up in Mindanao and I don't remember having one as a tradition during Christmas.

    ooooooohhhh but staying up all night till midnight is a practice here right? I imagine in the states, CHristmas is celebrated in the morning where opening of gifts happen, among other activities? but you do remember that the 24th and when the clock strikes midnights all the fireworks you can imagine happen, right? :-)

    Mizpah,
    Li

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  4. What a lovely memory, Chandy. Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope you have a wonderful day and are looking forward to the holidays ahead.

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  5. Oh Thank you for sharing your story. You are the second person I read about this Pink Saturday that talked of these sweet treats! I think she was from Jamica though. Beautiful and yep there is no other grander tradition than attending midnight Mass. Peace, Mollye

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  6. Oh home, it's like you could click your ruby slippers together, be there and taste your childhood all over again, Happy Pink Saturday, Char

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  7. Thank you ladies, I so appreciate your comments!

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  8. Great memory, I have never heard of this treat, but it sound good. Hope one day you get to have another one.

    Barbara

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  9. Those sound delicious. So many of us have memories of a special food we associate with the holidays.

    Happy Pink Saturday.

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  10. Hi Chandy, we just got back from a Caribbean cruise on the most amazing ship, the Oasis of the Seas. It was so much fun that I did not even sign up for internet (first time ever) while cruising. I love reading about your X'mas memories, so familiar since it is the same as mine, lol! But I love the bibingka more than the puto bumbong, though I love the latter too. I am still Florida, will fly home tomorrow so talk to you more soon...Christine

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