In the Philippines, the word for pig is baboy (Tagalog/Cebuano), but the famous roasted pig dish is called Lechon (or Litson), which refers to the whole roasted pig, especially for celebrations, and can be a suckling pig (Lechon de Leche). So, "pig" is baboy, while the iconic dish made from it is Lechon.
Dan's expertise is roasting a whole pig, known in the Philippines as litson, or lechon (depending on the province, but pronounced roughly the same).
If you're a fan of roasted pork, Cebu's lechon is a must -try. Known for its crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat, it's often called the best lechon in the Philippines.
Baboy - the tagalog word for pork or pig. One of the best qualities of this amazing ingredient is it's versatility. So many dishes and preparations can be made from a single animal.
"Lechon"The ULTIMATE Filipino Food! 🇵🇭 Lechon, the most famous of the Filipino foods. The entire roast pig.
Pork is the culinary name for the meat of the pig (Sus domesticus). It is the second most commonly consumed type of meat worldwide, following poultry, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 8000–9000 BCE.
Lechon, derived from a Spanish word for roasted suckling pig is one of the most popular dishes in the Philippines. The slowly-roasted suckling pig is usually stuffed with lemongrass, tamarind, garlic, onions, and chives, and is then roasted on a large bamboo spit over an open fire.
The Qurʾān states that the consumption of pork is not allowed, as it is considered impure, and pork is therefore considered to be haram (expressly forbidden). This prohibition is part of a broader set of dietary laws that aims to maintain ritual purity and cleanliness, which are central to Islamic practice.
Musta is the casual, shortened version of Kumusta? (How are you?) that's taking over informal Filipino conversations! This breezy greeting works just like saying “sup?” or “hey” to your closest friends.
Today our featured Tagalog Word of the Week is baboy! This means pork. The Philippines has had a long history of eating pork.
In Islamic Jurisprudence, both the consumption of Pork (meat) and corruption is not permitted.
Pork remains the favourite in the Philippines.
Lechon comes from the Spanish word leche, meaning “milk,” and originally referred to a milk-fed, whole roasted suckling piglet. In the Philippines, however, lechon refers to a whole roasted adult pig that is slowly rotated over an open charcoal grill to achieve crisp skin and tender, succulent meat.
Pork is a staple in Filipino cuisine, and indigenous groups incorporate pig in some of their rituals. This interconnectedness piqued the interest of University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) researchers.
In most regions of the Philippines, whole-roasted pig is known by the Spanish-derived term lechón (usually spelled lechon without diacritics, but also litson or lichon). It is traditionally prepared throughout the year for special occasions, festivals, and the holidays.
The Origins of Lechon
The word lechon comes from the Spanish word for “roasted suckling pig,” and it's a beloved dish in many Spanish-speaking and island cultures. Most famously, whole lechon is a staple of Filipino, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican celebrations.
Filipinos say "Ay nako" (or "Hay nako") as an exclamation of frustration, exasperation, surprise, or sympathy, similar to "Oh my gosh," "Oh dear," or "Uh-oh" in English, often arising from "Ina ko po!" (My mother!) and used when things go wrong or someone is being difficult. It's a common, versatile expression to convey a sigh or slight dismay without being offensive, often used when there's traffic, hunger, or disbelief.
The Tagalog word "muta" translates to "eye boogers" or "eye discharge" in English. "Eye boogers" is a common informal term for the hardened discharge found around the eyes, often upon waking. More formally, it can be referred to as "eye discharge" or "eye rheum".
Muslim scholars/jurists have different opinions with regard to the ruling that dogs are considered impure (najis). According to the majority of scholars from the Shafi'i mazhab (school of thought), dogs fall in the category of najis mughallazah (major impurity).
For example in Leviticus 11:7 - 11:8 it says: (Verse 7) And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. (Verse 8)Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
The biggest sin in Islam is Shirk (associating partners with Allah), which means worshipping or attributing divine qualities to anything or anyone other than God, considered the ultimate betrayal of monotheism (Tawhid) and unforgivable if not repented before death; other major sins (Kabair) include murder, witchcraft, falsely accusing chaste women, consuming orphan's property, interest (riba), and fleeing the battlefield.
One of the main reasons Filipinos prefer the tabo over tissue is cleanliness. Using water is considered more thorough and refreshing compared to wiping with paper. For many Filipinos, water ensures a cleaner feeling after using the toilet. Tissue may only wipe, but water washes.
Adobo, which is regarded as the national dish of the Philippines, is just as diverse, varying from region to region. I grew up eating chicken adobo, pork adobo, and sometimes a combination of both. My mom often added potatoes to her chicken adobo, which would absorb some of the flavorful sabaw.
But there is a reason…so why is there so much pork in China?? It's not just a favorite…it's a way of life. Pork has been the backbone of Chinese cuisine for thousands of years. It's affordable, versatile, and deeply rooted in culture.