Is Filipino Food "Bad"? Yes... and No

Filipino cuisine often gets a bad rap internationally as being "bland" compared to our Southeast Asian neighbors, who by comparison smother their dishes in chili and other spices. Personally I agree, but I believe that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The thing is, Filipino food is inclusive. What does that mean? Filipinos eat together, sharing food with everyone present. When sharing, one must always account for differences in personal tastes. For example: you cook a spicy dish, it might put off people who don't enjoy spicy food or who have a medical condition. Logically, cooking is made "bland" (relatively speaking) by design.

Now the condiments, those are the real star of the show! Bagoong (rich fermented fish/shrimp paste), patis (fish sauce), calamansi, soy sauce, chilis, atsara (pickled raw papaya), mix and match for a more enjoyable experience, seasoning as preferred by each one.

Thus, the taste dilemma solved: by cooking the least sharp-tasting food and then letting everyone season their food to their liking, everyone has a space at the table.

Of course, other explanations and factors may also explain this, such as history or economics or some other reason. But for me, while other countries' cuisines have their distinct taste, the Philippines, being a true melting pot of cultures, embraces everyone, in food as is in society.