Manyaman, masarap, delicious
The popular Ambeth Ocampo is known as a public historian and the editorial page columnist of the longest running column on history. An author of numerous bestselling titles from Rizal Without the Overcoat to Cabinet of Curiosities: History of Philippine Artifacts, his latest is a slim book that is of special interest to me with Kapampangan roots as my mother, herself an excellent cook, Josefina Sicangco Cruz hailed from Angeles. It was nostalgic and mouthwatering reading, Ocampo’s most recent title, Manyaman: Food in Pampango Culture, Anvil Publishing, 2024. (“Manyaman” means “masarap,” delicious.)
