Google Doddle is celebrating Adobo, a Filipino food and the first of its kind to appear in the major search engine.
According to Google’s Head of Communications and Public Affairs in the Philippines, Mervin Wenke, “Adobo is an important part of the story of Filipinos. It is an evolving, well-loved comfort food or way of cooking that crosses all economic boundaries. For adobo to be featured as a Google Doodle – the first Filipino dish at that – is a Pinoy Pride moment.”
“It is an honor to launch this Doodle that celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of Filipino cuisine on such a global platform,” he added.
Adobo is prepared and served anywhere around the world, from a five-star restaurant in Manila to inside the homes of Filipino families. The word “adobo” was first added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in December 2006 and was included on the word list of the next OED quarterly update, released on this day in 2007.
There are many different kinds of the food – Adobo, sharing the same basic makeup and recipe which is marinated meat or vegetables braised into a stew. Other common ingredients include vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. The local flavors make Filipino adobo much sweeter, sourer, and saltier in taste compared to other versions.
Adobo is also prepared specially depending on the region or place in the Philippines. Locals in the Visayas enjoy adobong puti (White Adobo), which is known by many to be the original indigenous style. It exclusively uses vinegar without any soy sauce.
In places like Southern Luzon, where coconut milk is a food staple, creamier adobo recipes like Adobong Manok sa Gata (chicken adobo with coconut milk) are extremely popular. Others people use seafood like squid, or locally available vegetables like kangkong (water spinach) or sitaw (string beans) as a substitute for meat.
“Adobo is a source of Filipino pride and identity. The word makes the indigenes wherever they are remember and crave for home. Adobo can be eaten with rice, pandesal, or just on its own. According to renowned restaurateur and food writer Claude Tayag, there is nothing like our very own Adobo”.
Google Doodle celebrating Adobo as the very first Filipino food is truly commendable. This is a great way to create meaningful conversations online about our rich and diverse food heritage, he added.
Anthony Irwin, the Doodle artist from Google responsible for the design had this to say; “I ordered some southern-style chicken Adobo from a local restaurant to stir up some memories while working on the art for this Doodle, and the first thing that hit me was the smell. It was so bright and nostalgic and instantly filled my apartment with that familiar feeling: this is exactly how things are supposed to be. So I tried to capture that simple childhood joy of leaning in and savoring the kind of food that makes home feel like home. Kain nang mabuti!”
Though Adobo is a symbol and expression of Filipino pride that varies from region to region, family to family, palate to palate, the food can be prepared and eaten worldwide. The history of Adobo is rich, the taste is unique, and the aroma is irresistible – the children in today’s artwork would definitely agree. Wherever and however it’s served, Adobo leaves everybody wanting for more.
