Narrative, Memories, and Redemption in a Parfait Glass: The Ingredients of Pasyong Mahal Ng Halo-Halo in/as Performance

Abstract

This experimental venture by the Department of Humanities-College of Arts and Sciences (DHUM-CAS) and the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food-College of Human Ecology (IHNF-CHE) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) used halo-halo, a Filipino dessert and comfort food, as both a concept and a performance centerpiece. This performance paved the way to the maiden production of Tanghalan Cocina 1921s1 Pasyong mahal ng halo-halo na sukat ipag-alab ng damdamin ng sinumang kakain nito (The ever-enflamed passion of halo-halo that will set afire the heart of whosoever eats it, or Pasyong mahal ng halo-halo for short).2 In the performance we ritualized the sufferance and redemption of Christ inside a food laboratory by exploring narratives from the halo-halo eating habits of Filipinos and contemporary/historical Filipino scenarios. Such creative and critical inquiry enabled us to engage our co-partakers, the actors and audience, to unravel and decolonize historical memories of Filipino identity by remaking the Body of Christ as a corporeal performed text connected with food, nourishment, healing, and, finally, redemption. It detailed not only the Christ-like attributes of the Filipino nation and history but also the history and narrative of Filipino redemption from the colonial bondage and memory loss in this age of increasing postmodern concepts and identity loss.