Cebuano Living

MESINA, Sheenna Marie I.
C32
Writing Task: Definition Essay

Cebuano Living Just like a bowl of assorted peanuts, the Republic of the Philippines finds its exquisite and unique flavor through its many islands with their own local taste to offer. Aside from the busy and bustling capital metropolis Manila, the Philippines has surely one of its best cities to offer to the world: Cebu. What attracts people all over the world to the little island in the heart of the archipelago is its relative size that offers less time to get from one place to another and more time to enjoy the places it has to share to the world. But beyond its sandy beaches and majestic mountains, one thing that keeps the city alive even from the beginning is its people. Cebuanos have their own little way of living their own lives in their own pace and peace, which now with great interest we would like to share with you. First off, Cebuanos are a fun-loving and laid-back people. Born out of love and nurtured in the homey place of the city, at a young age they grow to be familiar to everyone they meet. Kids are kind to their playmates and grow up to be pleasant and easygoing adults. But that doesn’t mean that Cebuanos are lazy; they always have their own time for work and for recreation. The city itself is a reflection of its people: In the midst of the rush hour, it still feels so light and sunny. People are chill and relaxed and don’t get tense around others even if it gets unpleasant sometimes. The city is a cross of the busy and relaxed atmosphere; its people, its lifeblood, sustain it. Second, Cebuanos take pride in their identity. Cebuanos are noted to be energetic and have a good sense of humor to keep. Whichever language they speak, wherever lands they may visit, there’s nothing funnier than a group of Cebuanos talking over good memories and their experiences of struggle inside their comfort rooms. New acquaintances become familiar friends when they start to talk about almost anything. They blurt out some of the known punchlines in the City, for example Estoryahe! (Talk to the hand), Chor oy! (Sure?), and Chuya! (That's cool / awesome!) are some of the words you'll hear in the middle of their loud and raucous conversations. Though said to be born with a hard tongue, there’s nothing softer than a Cebuano’s funnybone. They are also known to be very hospitable and the Sinulog festival in January proves that even though it gets rough, Cebuanos know how to get along and keep looking at the brighter side of things. Third, many Cebuanos are a testimony of talent. Cebu is home to not some but many artists and musicians all over the world. The little island is a budding community of creativity and color personified by the looks of its streets; artwork made by independent artists, inside walls are displayed professional artwork from professional visual artists; some artists have also broken the line of convention by delving into experiential and installation art, combining music, art and dance at the same time. Aside from the eye candy of every nook and cranny, there’s always a song in your head and your ears when you get to this island: every day or another a new, younger, fresher generation of musicians are born here and there, performing in front of crowds who share the same interest in both music and art as one community of creative people. Fourth, Cebuanos love to eat! It’s one thing you should never miss in every Bisdak you encounter. Prepare several extra cups of rice whenever you’re with one! Aside from the very Filipino special skill of Rice Amount Estimation in which Pinoys know how much rice they can finish in ratio towards the amount of viand available, Cebuanos are entitled to another special ability: Rice saving. With even a little amount of viand, it’s amazing how a Bisdak could manage to fit several cups of rice just to fill the need of an empty stomach. With that you shouldn’t miss Cebu’s famous lechon with its very own special secret to its scrumptious taste; puso or hanging rice, Pochero, Humba, Chicharon, Cebu’s own take to the Chinese Siomai, aptly called Siomai sa Tisa: You can’t find one hungry Cebuano in Cebu. And it’s sure that you won’t find yourself not asking where to eat next. Of course there are many things one could say about Cebuanos, and there’s not one word to describe their intricacies and quirkiness. You can’t stereotype them. After all, we still all live under the same flag, under the same name, a Filipino nation. We still share whatever our brothers and sisters have to offer, even across seas. Because just like a bowl of assorted peanuts, it keeps on getting better and better the more flavors you taste. Every bite is a surprise. Well, Cebuanos do offer quite a shock.