indy test japan: explorations of social and cultural dimensions of soba, sushi and sticky rice in the Philippines and Japan

Both Filipino and Japanese food shares social and cultural dimensions which represents their sameness and differences of Asian Cultures. Food captures the taste which is culturally transmitted and manifested in social activities. Soba is served cold and hot in train and bus stations, even at the airport in Tokyo and Osaka. Soba represents the climate change and the seasons along with the fast phased lifestyle of the Japanese. Meanwhile, the Filipino noodles are served hot at jeepney and tricyle terminals. Sushi also represents the orderliness and packaging of the Japanese. While the Filipino tapsilog is a popular breakfast combining tapa (dried beef), sinangag (fried rice) and itlog (fried egg) tells the Filipino characteristics of being heavy workers. Finally, both Filipino and Japanese rice shares the long history of agricultural development of the Philippines and Japan.

The proponent explores the social and cultural dimensions which crosses and dissects Filipino and Japanese food cultures. Using a variety of social research methods and direct experience, one could not miss the differences and nuances of Filipino and Japanese experiences. The social and cultural meanings differ but essentially belongs to the same order of observation done by observers from the said environment. The idea is to promote mutual learning and exchange for a deeper appreciation of food along with its social and culture dimensions.

Indy Test is based on the praxis of development communications, the unrelenting awareness and consciousness of the problems provides the model for our daily practice. It emerged as a response to the social realities of developing nations. For the most part, despite the broken promises of development, these problems could be addressed by tracing it to root causes by means of documentation in different forms and manners. Thestudy started as a field study in the small island of Marinduque, in the Southern Tagalog Region of the Philippines. From November 2009 to March 2010, the researchers tried to conduct a field study using ethnography, visual methods, focus-group discussion, in-depth interview and other qualitative methods. The study was initially about the different models of development in the island province at the very heart of the Philippines and documenting it with cross-disciplinary manner by means of Independent Media Center. But the result was a heterogenous appropriation of the study of Philippine culture, society and thinking in the 6 towns and 18 selected communities of Marinduque