Linat-an ( Boiled Pork )

        Recent days had been both emotionally and physically exhausting for me, but today I simply decided to be happy and blog away!

        Another highlight on the KADAYAWAN Festival is the HIYAS NG KADAYAWAN,  which is some sort of a beauty contest among members of the ten Indigenous tribes in Mindanao. Hiyas means "jewel or muse", so to be crowned Hiyas ng Kadayawan is to be a focal point in the celebration and the usually camera-shy natives take on the cameras and bright lights, in a show of talent and knowledge of tribal customs. The crowned Hiyas along with her court will be featured in a royal float and paraded around the city as one of the highlights of Kadayawan Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan. 

2012 Hiyas ng Kadayawan and her court

        In its early days, the Hiyas event was participated by regular Filipinas, but as the festival took on a more indigenous and in effect, a more meaningful celebration, the organizers relegated the regular Filipinas to the Mutya ng Dabaw contests in March, and made the Hiyas contest exclusively for Indigenous tribal beauties. 

the ten tribes in their native finery

        Among the tribes that will be represented are: 1. Maranao, 2. Matigsalug 3. Kalagan 4. Tausug 5. Ubu Manobo 6. Ata 7. Maguindanao 8. Tagabawa Bagobo 9. Sama 10. Bagobo Klata. Unfortunately, I have to be honest that the tribal costumes still confuse me and I am only familiar with  two. But here are pictures of some of the tribal beauties in their native garbs:

Maguindanao

Ubu Manobo

Tausug

Matigsalog

Ata Tribe

Maranao

        I would not be entirely honest if I do not reveal my tribal background. My great-grandmother was a Tausug princess in Sulu,( the farthest island in Mindanao) who married a Chinese trader. Being a princess in a tribe only means that you are a daughter of a tribal chief or sultan, in a simplified monarchy in an indigenous community. Sulu happens to be a purely Muslim island, so I guess her dad had quite a kingdom in his time.  My aunts tell me that my great grandma had a servant whose only job was to wash and comb her floor-length hair. Hair fetish? maybe, but tribes have their own curious traditions. So, being a 4th generation mix of Chinese and Tausug blood, I am way too further down the royal line of succession. I have never even don a Tausug costume in my lifetime!  I'd like to try, though. I look neither Chinese nor Tausug, but I am fully Filipino. 

        Today we're making a traditional Mindanaoan dish called Linat-an. Linat-an simply translates to boiled pork. Its a delicious, filling and satisfying dish that's simple and easy to prepare. Let's make Linat-an.

Linat-an

INGREDIENTS:

500 g. Pork ribs, cut into serving pieces
2 cups rice washing or water
1 whole onion, quartered
1 taro root, peeled and sliced into cubes
3 pieces string beans, sliced 3" long
1 stalk lemon grass, tied into a knot
1 red bell pepper, sliced
salt and pepper to taste

ingredients

PROCEDURE:

1. Boil pork ribs in rice washing or water. Wait until all the scum have surfaced and remove before adding lemon grass and onion. Boil until pork is fork-tender.

2. Add the taro root and boil until tender. Add the string beans, bell pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Sprinkle a tablespoon of sliced spring onions on top and laddle into a soup bowl. Serve hot with rice.

simple, quick, delicious Linat-an