AS fascinated as we are with snowflakes or anything that is crystal, we are just filled with so much anticipation with anything that is wrapped. No matter what the occasion we will always be curious with anything that comes or is given to us wrapped. Is it the element of surprise?
Wrapping is not monopolized by items that are wrapped intended to be given as gifts. Some of the popular finger foods or dishes sold or homemade are wrapped.
Our favorite staple is wrapped with palm leaves and this is our “puso.” Our favorite breakfast or merienda called “budbud” made of sticky rice is wrapped in banana leaf. Tagalogs make their “suman” using coconut leaves while the Ilonggos name theirs as “ibus.”
Italians wrap their finger food with grape leaves. They also have a dish that is wrapped in cabbage. “Empanadas” and “empanaditas” are pastries that originated from Spain. The Mexicans have their “tamales” and “pintos” wrapped in corn husk. Their “quesadillas” and “burritos” come wrapped as well. Turks pride in their “shawarma” while the French enjoy their favorite crepe dessert.
I am not certain which country started it all but the Chinese introduced us to the spring roll. The innovation is what we know as “lumpiang shanghai” which we deep fry. We also have our fresh “lumpia” which uses ubod as its main ingredient. Other regions in the country have their own version of fresh “lumpia” using the vegetable available in their community.
“Sushi” was introduced to us by the Japanese while “siomai” and fried “wonton” are the pride of the Chinese.
Even fashion has its own version of wrapping up. Muslims call this Ready-to-Wear (RTW) as “malong.” Hawaiians go to the beach with their wraparound to conceal the bikinis while at the beach front. One of the universal practices to keep our babies warm becomes a bundle of joy.
I cannot wait for the Senate to wrap up their investigation on the Dengvaxia issue and get to the bottom of the controversy surrounding the vaccination program.
Are you not mesmerized when someone tells you that he wants to wrap his arms around you?