TJ Rufon
TJ Rufon, the 2nd honorary winner in the Photo Essay Contest organized by ASCCA-Romblon, shared breathtaking photos of how a cultural delicacy nilupak or linumak is made in his hometown. Read his entry written in his mother tongue and translated into the English language.
“Nilupak”
Romblomanons take pride in anything they put their hearts and souls into. One thing we uphold most is our cunning talent at making native delicacies that fills our hearts and bellies with the warmth and love from the hard work of our Manong and Manangs.
“Nilupak,” “Linumak,” or “Niyumak” is a native delicacy of Romblon. “nilupak” means “mashed or pounded” from the Tagalog word “lupak” which is “to pound into a pulp.” Made using ‘Musa sapientum’ or “the fruit of wise men,” or simply, bananas. But not the ripe and mushy ones; what’s ideally used is the “sab-a” type, mealy with a hint of yellow pulp in the middle.
Coconut flesh or the “butong,” margarine, and a hint of sugar we’re also used when making Nilupak. These native ingredients are combined to be mashed using a big wooden mortar and pestle called “lusong” to make a delicious paste valued and loved by so many.
This is also seen as one of the oldest practices that Romblomanons still present up to this day. The culture of making Nilupak can be seen as an epitome of hard work and a symbol of passion that reflects the spirit of Romblomanons.
Nilupak
Ginapahambog it mga Romblomanon ang mga butang nga ginaobra nanda nga bilog sa andang tagiposoon kag kalag. Isya sa mga butang nga amon ginakaptan hay ang pag-obra kag indi pagdula it mga pagkaon nga odi lamang sa aton, nga nagapuno it amon mga tagiposoon kag nagapakita it pagpalangga kag pagpanikasog it amon mga manong kag manang.
And “Nilupak” hay isya sa mga pagkaon it Romblon.”Nilupak” nga gustong hambalon hay ”Gintumok” o “Ginbayo” halin sa tagalog nga hambal nga “Lupak” nga gustong hambalon hay “Ginatumok hanggang magpino”. Ginaobra ya paagi sa paggamit it saging nga sab-a. Ang saging nga “Sab-a” hay medyo iba imaw sa mga kilala nga saging ng daw kag humok.
Ginabutangan ya it humok nga niyog nga ginatawag nga “butong”, Margarine kag isot nga asukal. Tanan ya hay ginahalo sa isyang bahol nga pantumok nga kahoy nga kung tawagon hay “Lusong” kag hal-o para makaobra it namit nga pagkaon nga gusto it kaabuan.
Ang dya ay isa sa mga pagginawi it mga nauuna nga mga mal-am nga hanggang kaya hay ginagamit it mga Romblomanon. Ang dya nga kultura it pag-obra it nilupak hay isang ehemplo it pagpanikasog, kag nagapakita ya it pagiging matiniiison nga nagasalamin sa aton nga mga Romblomanon.
About Asi Studies Center for Culture and the Arts (ASCCA) – Romblon
ASCCA – Romblon is a chapter of Romblon Discussion List – Cultural, Livelihood, and Educational Assistance for Romblon (RDL-CLEAR), established in 1998. This non-profit organization aims to restore and promote the culture and heritage of the Bantoanon community. ASCCA has already hosted many workshops, conferences, cultural activities, and competitions to preserve Romblon’s nature, local languages, culture, and heritage and empower its community to pass its values to the next generation.
Press Contacts ASCCA – Romblon
Email: [email protected]gmail.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/asilanguagewarriors/
Ismael Fabicon
Email: [email protected]msn.com
The Photo Essay Contest was organized by the social media arm of ASCCA-Romblon. It started to hold monthly online contests last February 2021 on its official Facebook page for the Romblon community. Each contest aims to inspire fellow kasimanwas to showcase their talents and promote their own language, culture, and heritage at the same time. Follow our FB page at https://www.facebook.com/asilanguagewarriors/ for future contests and updates.
Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
