How to make Manual Coconut Shredder (Kaguran)

One of many styles of Kaguran ( This is our Coconut Shredder)

Back in the old days and up to now, everyone had Shredder in their kitchen. These were important for getting the tasty coconut flesh out of the hard shell. There were different types, some even made by carpenters like my neighbor.

My neighbor made his own coconut shredder using a Y-shaped branch from a tree. Here's how he did it:

1. He found a branch shaped like a Y and cut it to make a flat base.
2. He used a tool called a chisel to make the branch flat.
3. Then, he made two legs to keep the shredder steady.

The most important part of the shredder is the teeth that crush the coconut. My neighbor made these from metal rods:

1. He heated the metal until it was red hot.
2. Then, he hammered the ends flat to make them like circles.
3. He made small sharp points around the circles for shredding.
4. He stuck the other end of the metal rods into the base of the shredder.

Once the shredder was ready, you could use it to crush the coconut by moving it up and down. It was hard work, but it got the job done and gave us delicious coconut flesh for cooking.

Poisoned by Jathropa (Tuba-Tuba) Tree

Tuba-Tuba Plant

Let's go back to the summer of  1992, when my childhood friends were playing hide in our favorite playing ground, in the street near our houses. I got caught early in the game with my friend, so we waited at the home base while the others kept playing. 

Two friends who didn't join the game brought tuba-tuba and had already eaten some. Curious about what they brought, I joined them.  I remembered seeing tuba-tuba before but didn't know it was edible. When I saw some friends eating it, in a slip of a tongue I told them it was edible. I was not really sure about it. Everyone was joining picked tuba-tuba in our neighbor's yard that we thought were fruits.  

We couldn't resist trying them, so my friend picked one of the brown seeds and cracked it open. It looked like peanuts inside, so we both started eating them. We had no idea that those seeds were dangerous.

After a while, some of our friends started feeling dizzy and sick.  I did not vomit because I only ate a few. I felt really guilty and scared. They blamed me for suggesting we ate the seeds.

Luckily, one of the grown-ups told us to drink coconut milk to help get rid of the toxins. It worked, and everyone started feeling better after a while. It was a scary experience, but we learned to be more careful about what we eat.

Even though it was a tough lesson, it taught us to listen to adults and think twice before eating something we're not sure about.

Traditional Rice Milling: A Step-by-Step Guide Using Wood Pounder and Mortar (Lusong at Alho)

Lusong

Traditional Rice Milling: A Step-by-Step Guide Using Wood Pounder and Mortar

In many rural areas around the world, including the Philippines, traditional methods of rice milling are still prevalent. These methods often involve manual labor and the use of simple tools such as wood pounders and mortars, known as Lusong in the Philippines. Let's delve into the traditional process of milling rice using these tools.

1. Preparation:

Before starting the milling process, it's crucial to ensure that the rice grains are thoroughly dried. Drying the rice helps in easier removal of the husk during milling.

2. Set up the Equipment:

Place the wood mortar (Lusong) on a stable surface and position sacks or containers on both sides to catch the grains that will fall during the pounding process.

3. Blocking the Grains:

Stand beside the mortar and use your right or left foot to block the hole at the base of the mortar. This prevents the grains from scattering outwards when pounding begins.

4. Pounding the Grains:

Using a wood pounder, start pounding the grains inside the mortar. The pounding action helps to remove the husk from the grains. This process requires some physical exertion and rhythm to ensure effective milling.

5. Winnowing:

Once the grains have been pounded, use a winnowing basket or a wide shallow container to separate the rice grains from the husk. This can be done by gently tossing the mixture in the air, allowing the lighter husk to be blown away by the wind while the heavier grains fall back into the basket.

6. Final Separation:

After winnowing, manually separate any remaining husk from the rice grains until they are clean and ready to be cooked. This may involve further hand-picking or sieving to ensure that only the grains are retained.

7. Cooking:

Once the rice grains are cleaned and separated, they are ready to be cooked according to preference. Whether steamed, boiled, or fried, the freshly milled rice can now be transformed into delicious dishes to be enjoyed by family and friends.

Although modern rice milling machines have become prevalent in many parts of the world, traditional methods using wood pounders and mortars continue to be cherished for their simplicity and connection to cultural heritage. The process of manually milling rice not only produces nutritious grains but also fosters a sense of community and tradition. So, the next time you have the opportunity, consider experiencing the time-honored practice of milling rice using wood pounders and mortars.

My Sweet Potato Story (Kamote)

Sweet Potato planted on a hill

Looking back from the past, my family relied on farming sweet potatoes and cassava for additional income. We cultivated a portion of our land on a hill, where we planted sweet potato stems. It typically took 3 to 4 months and for cassava 9 months before it was ready to be harvested.

During the harvest season, I asked my brother to accompany me to gather some sweet potatoes. He brought along a bolo (a type of knife), and together we headed to the hill. Upon arrival, we noticed some sweet potatoes starting to sprout. I reached for the bolo he was carrying, intending to use it for harvesting. He resisted, but I was determined to take hold of it. In the struggle, I accidentally nicked his forehead with the bolo, causing it to bleed. Fearing his reaction, I hastily retreated home and hid inside a large bamboo basket to avoid facing my father's anger. Despite their efforts to find me, I remained silent and concealed within the basket for an hour. Surprisingly, when they eventually discovered me, my father didn't scold me as I had anticipated.

Whenever I encounter sweet potatoes, memories of the incident with my brother come flooding back. Although the scar on his forehead remains faintly visible to this day, he simply laughs whenever I recount the "sweet potato story."

Childhood Adventure in the River (Sapa)

As a child, one of my cherished memories was swimming in the river with my brother. We would splash around and enjoy ourselves in the cool water, completely immersed in our own world of fun and laughter.

One day, despite the gloomy weather, we ventured to the river's edge. The rain poured relentlessly, causing the water level to rise and the once clear river to turn muddy. Undeterred by the worsening conditions, we continued to play by the riverside, oblivious to the dangers lurking in the swiftly changing current.

As the rain persisted, our father's voice called out to us, urging us to come home. However, we ignored his calls, dismissing them as mere background noise in our excitement. Sensing his growing concern, we panicked and sought refuge in a nearby cave, hoping to evade his watchful gaze.

From our hiding spot, we watched anxiously as our father waded into the river, frantically searching for any sign of us. Despite his efforts, we remained silent, concealed by the darkness of the cave. Eventually, he gave up the search and sought help from our neighbors, leaving us to contemplate the consequences of our actions.

When he left, we emerged from our hiding place and hurried home, eager to escape any punishment that awaited us. Quickly changing our clothes and pretending exhaustion, we lay down on the mat in our room, simulating sleep upon our father's return.

Thankfully, our ploy worked, and we were spared from facing the consequences of our disobedience. As we drifted off to sleep, we couldn't help but feel grateful for our narrow escape and vowed to be more mindful of our father's warnings in the future.