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- Title:
- Dugong Dinner (Part 1)
- Date Created:
- 2021-02-03
- Description:
- On August 10, 1666 after 4 months on the Pacific Ocean, La Concepcion made port at Palapa, Samar. The vendaval was too strong so the galleon could not reach Cavite. Fr. Melchor de los Reyes, a Jesuit born in Puerto Rico was the Palapa parish missionary. He suddenly had 80 persons to house and feed! Dominicans numbered 39 and all were from Spain. He received his brothers in Christ with bell ringing, the playing of wind instruments, and other music. Some slept in the choir loft and others in galleries. There was a clear river where they could bath, books in great abundance, and food always plenty, clean and served punctually. It was presumed the group could leave in boats within a few days or that the galleon could continue its voyage. The priest found food to provision the ship and alerted Jesuits in neighboring areas of the dilemma. Not till 7 months later, in March the next year could his guests depart due to unsafe weather! Such was life at a time when people knew climate mattered. It was the religious who provided free board and lodging to all who needed them. Simple Spanish dishes could have been added to what native cooks roasted and prepared in metal pans and clay pots. New World ingredients were being accepted into common Spanish cuisine gradually since the Columbian voyage of 1492. Some like tomato, chili and corn grew in different areas of Filipinas since the first colonial century.
- Subjects:
- Cooking, Spanish Melchor de los Reyes Catholic Church -- Missions -- Philippines Spain -- Colonies -- Asia -- Social life and customs Crops -- Philippines Spain -- Colonies -- Asia -- Religious life and customs
- Exhibition:
- 100 Minus 8
- Source:
- Port of Palapa in July 1789 -- 120 years after the Concepcion voyage. Fernando Brambila. Collection: Museo de America, Madrid. It is a sheltered port in north Samar.
- Type:
- Image;Still Image
- Format:
- image/jpeg
Source
- Preferred Citation:
- "Dugong Dinner (Part 1)", Philippine Food History, Felice P. Sta. Maria
- Reference Link:
- felicepstamaria.net/items/coll181.html