By YOLANDA L. PUNSALAN
INSCRIBED on a rectangular mooncake box with the hues of orange, deep green and brown, with thickly feathered birds perched on a persimmon tree heavy with fruits, is this stanza.
IN THE SHADOW AS LOVE AND I
As Love and I
Late harbour’d in one inn
With proverbs thus each other entertain
In love there is no lack
Thus I begin…….
No poet’s name is mentioned, but this romantic verse lays testament to the sweet legend surrounding the origins of the Mooncake Festival. Chang E, the loving wife, tried to protect her husband from eating an elixir that would make him rise to heaven, hence she ate it herself. Chang E flew to the moon and turned celestial. She is now recognized as the goddess of the moon.
This is not the best of times between the governments of the Philippines and China over conflicting territorial claims but the strain is not enough to dampen the celebration of centuries old traditions and beliefs that have enriched the Filipino-Chinese relations.
One such event anticipated by many is the mid-Autumn Festival, or more popularly known here as the Mooncake Festival.
The Hungry Ghosts Month ended last August 25. That dark period is when troubled souls go back to earth, desolate and jealous that they have been forgotten, and thus they wreak havoc on the people.
Maybe it’s just in the mind but many attribute death, sickness, and misfortunes to the unlucky month. No Chinese would sign contracts, move to another office or house, or begin a new project or business in August. Thus, even Chinese restaurants normally see dismal business as few were eating out to celebrate anything.
Then, like the beautiful spring of life, the Mooncake Festival came on the 8th of September this year, auspiciously coinciding with the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary as observed by devout Catholics.
Flipino-Chinese obstetrician-gynecologist Helen Pavon Serrano recalls when she was studying at St. Jude Catholic School. “we used to celebrate Moon Festival on September 28, coinciding with Teacher’s Day.”
Families, friends, companies with deep Chinese roots eagerly anticipate this enjoyable, fun day. Employees, whose thoughtful bosses generously gift them with mooncakes are thrilled, not only because these mooncakes’ prices have skyrocketed, but also because so many new flavors have been cooked up by the Chinese bakers. Several decades back there were only the mongo with one egg yolk or two. Those with nuts and lotus seeds were imported from Hong Kong, Taiwan or Mainland China.
Creativity blossomed in the Chinese delis. There are now an array of variants: pandan, langka, ube, ube lite, mochaccino, mixed nuts, ham and nuts, mongo lite, chocolate.
Last year, the famous Eng Bee Tin Chinese deli introduced Snow Rose, which had real white rose petals. This year, its newest variant is White Empress, with an assortment of nuts and milk and needs to be refrigerated. In Malaysia, they have premium harmony mooncakes made out of pure lotus with melon kernel seeds and the green tea variant. These delicacies come in boxes, pretty enough to keep, recycle or collect. Dainty plastic knives and tiny forks come with the package.
The main intent of the mooncake festival is not merely on the eating though. It is celebrating the harmony and love of family. From wherever one is in the world, if budgets and time allow, children are supposed to troop back to their hometowns and reunite with their parents and siblings. Spending quality moments again, reliving yesteryears. All these take place on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, when they believe the moon is at its brightest and roundest. Dating back 1046 years BC, the Chinese have reverenced the moon, thanking it for good agricultural harvest.
Interior designer Connie Sy Uy fondly recalls fun times playing hopia dice with her family as a young girl. “This year” she said, “we played dice in my mom’s house, with my eldest daughter organizing the event and buying the set of prizes since she was last year’s winner. This time, my papa won. He got five 4’s and a 5.”
Uy said the hopia set which serves as the prize can cost from P2,250 or even up to P5 thousand. In Salazar Bakery on Ongpin Street, they have two styles available: Amoy and Canton.
Rolling the dice in a ceramic bowl can be amusing as one resorts to various antics while dice throwing.
At the Manila City Hall, the dice game is played by their Tourism office with heads of Chinatown associations. It’s also played at the Chinese General Hospital, Rotary Clubs and Inner Wheel and homeowners groups with appliances for prizes.
In the Filipino-Chinese community, the atmosphere is Christmas in September with the full moon smiling brightly.