Filipinos can eat food even without utensils. In fact, dining using bare hands is one of the most loved Filipino traditions. It evokes positive thoughts, brings back childhood memories, and for some, makes dishes taste better.
With the convenience of utensils and the possibility of catching diseases, most people opt not to eat with their hands anytime, anywhere. The embarrassment and self-consciousness of being caught eating with one’s hands have also prevented many from enjoying the custom of kamayan.
Safeguard’s latest short film, which premiered on Oct. 15, aims to let people rediscover the joy of eating with bare hands.
Entitled “The Dinner,” the film stars Boy Abunda, AiAi delas Alas, Bianca Gonzalez, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Neri Miranda, James Deakin, LA Tenorio, and Drew Arellano all dressed to the nines, expecting to partake of a multi-course meal
But surprise came when Chef JP Anglo told the dinner guests they will be eating sans utensils.
Shot without a script and in just one take, the film captured the celebrities’ real and natural reactions to the experience of eating using their hands.
The celebrities delved into deeper conversations and talked more about the barriers that come in the way of Filipinos eating with hands more often.
Abunda asked, “Ano ba mga stigmas ‘pag nagkakamay?” to which Miranda answered, “Nakakahiya naman diba. Kasi grabe naman—nagugutuman? Parang ganoon.”
Despite the reasons that hinder Filipinos from doing kamayan, some of the dinner guests recognize the fact that there is really something special when one eats with their bare hands.
“The taste of food changes when you eat with your hands. Everything is about the senses, right? You have the sense of smell, taste, and touch when you eat with your hands. So, the whole experience is improved,” shared Deakin.
Tenorio added, “Kahit after practice nagkakamayan kami. May ibang lasa eh.” This depicts how eating with bare hands is a way to bond and have fun with family and friends—which was evident when the celebrities engaged in conversations and freely ate with their hands, even licking their fingers.
Apart from showing how using bare hands to eat food can bring about comfort toward the people around us and make food taste better, the film showed how clean hands enable richer experiences.
“Safeguard not only recognizes the health benefits of hand washing but it also wants to remind people of the joys that eating kamayan-style can bring. It is a celebration of the Filipino heritage that is made even more worthwhile with clean hands, and allows us to create richer experiences with our loved ones,” said Alex Vogler, associate director, digital transformation and brand communications for Procter & Gamble’s Beauty Division in Asia Pacific.
Go to Safeguard’s Facebook and YouTube pages to watch the short film.