Konted's Make My Day: A Nation of Rice Eaters

A Nation of Rice Eaters

Rice is the Philippines' staple food. With the country being ranked as the 8th biggest rice producer in the world, it creates the impression that we are self sufficient as far as production is concerned. But that is not the case. The Philippines is also the number one rice importer in the whole world.

If the Philippines is the 8th biggest rice producer on record, then why do we have to import rice? Simply because we have a population, more or less, of 97 million and still growing. Production cannot keep up with the demand for rice. We are a nation of rice eaters. Most Filipinos need to have rice as part of their meals. And they are not content with just having a cup of rice. They need to have two or three servings. That is an indisputable fact.

This indisputable fact is used as basis by some marketing experts in launching promos seeking to attract customers in food outlets, thereby, increasing their sales. One fast food chain, Karate Kid, offers "unlimited rice" to go with its Beef Teriyaki, Katsudon, Tempura, Tonkatsu. etc. That means you can eat all the rice you want without additional charge. A food attendant goes around, holding a rice container and serves extra rice to those who want more. Steaming rice at that.

Another fastfood chain cashing in on the Filipinos' propensity to consume more rice is Mang Inasal. Starting in Iloilo and then branching out nationwide, Mang Inasal offers grilled Ilonggo specialties such as Chicken Inasal and Pork Barbeque and with all the rice that you can eat. With free soup also. Mang Inasal is such a great success that Jollibee Food Corporation bought it for P 3 billion. There are now more than 400 Mang Inasal outlets throughout the Philippines. Inasal means "barbecue".

Not to be outdone, a new player in the fastfood business is also offering "Ëat all the rice you can" to go with its Cebu Liempo, Cebu Lechon Manok, etc. Chicboy, short for Chicken at Baboy, has served notice and has drawn diners to its fold as shown by the number of outlets sprouting all over Metro Manila and the suburbs. Chicboy is operated by the Pier One group.

Undeniably, rice is a basic need of Filipinos and it is the centerpiece of their regular meals. The value thereof is their primary concern and a major consideration in their day to day existence. I remember Pascual, the man whose main job at the billiard hall was to set up all 15 balls preparatory to each game. This was in my college days at DLSU. Everyone knew him and he was often referred to as " the man who has a face where no pimples grow anymore as there is no more space for them to grow." "Punong puno siya ng tigyawat.", as one batchmate, Rouel Quito, would describe him. Pascual, in between games, would sulk in one corner, obviously complaining of the economic hardship at that time. And in a loud manner that it would reverberate throughout the billiard hall and in such a way that billiard players would be jolted, Pascual would cry out: "Jesus Christ, no more rice !!!! "

- Konted