Patcu ning Guagua

Dra Ma. Isabel Lagman-Calilung is fondly called Beng by family and friends. I was blessed to be raised by good, loving parents, who taught me how to live life to the fullest. A simple, happy mother of four good children. I live a simple life, traveling with my family. I enjoy my work in Public Health too, because it fulfills my purpose in life. I still look young, but I have gained weight because I learned to count my blessings more than my problems. That gives me a reason to smile and stay happy.

Dr. Beng Lagman CALILUNG

GUAGUA

Suam Mais Patcu ning Guagua

PAN 10-12 EASY 1 HR 30 MiN

cassava powder all purpose flour evaporated milk asukal (sugar) ebun (eggs) ngungut (coconut meat) bulung saging (banana leaves)

In appearance, patcu looks like a pancake, but it is rolled, like a burrito, with ngungut a kidkud inside, and is covered in a banana leaf. My ancestors would cook this without specific measurements, because of their long experience. They also assumed the top quantity of each ingredient, as that was essential to achieve perfect consistency. This was especially important when the liquid batter was poured on a hot pan to create the thin pliable bread wrap.

In my case, I needed to be exact with the measurements, so I could repeat the process without making a mistake. In this type of food, use a flat pan to maximize the surface when spreading the liquid. Cassava powder is the special ingredient that forms what the patcu looks like. First, mix 1 cup cassava flour to 3 cups of flour and 1 can of evaporated milk. Into this mixture, add 3/4 cup of sugar, 5 beaten eggs and 2 cups of water. You can use any oil but vegetable oil is best. The oil should just “grease” the surface of the pan.

Pour a thin amount of the liquid in a well heated pan creating a circular shape, just like a pancake, while maintaining the consistency of the thickness. When the crust has cooked, put some ngungut a kidkud in the middle and roll it up, then cover it with banana leaves to make it look more rural and grassroots.

During my school days, my friends called me “Alice Kamatis” (just rhyming the words).I was usually first in line during assembly for Monday flag ceremony.. I’ll let you figure out why. My ambition was to be a lawyer, to defend and protect others in court But, as it turned out, I became a doctor. It was the same intention, but in a different way, to defend and protect others from illness. I am an Obstetrician-Gynecologist. Behind every child who believes in himself is a parent who believes first. I fulfilled my dream of becoming a doctor because of my parents, as they never doubted my capability on the journey of my life. One day I would succeed and people would ask me which university I attended. I’d say, ‘’ It does not matter, because it’s my parents who made me what i am today. To my mom and dad in heaven, my forever love and endless thank you for the wonderful life that you gave me.