As in most countries, food plays an important part in the Philippine social life. Dishes served in a Filipino home depend on such factors as the fruits and vegetables in season, and most important of all, the culinary skills of the wife or husband. Filipino parties are food feasts - during the fiesta the status and prestige of a family are often measured by the number and variety of dishes served. Rituals and special occasions are often indicated by types of food prepared. Even family occasions such as the Sunday meal for the extended family often feature particular dishes”.
Most worthy to note as regards Ybanag foods, together with anything related to foods, is their belief that a Supreme Being is the creator and source of all foods whether concocted out of the Ibanag's mind or taken afresh from nature. The Ibanag's faith in God is shown most promiscuously in the way the Ibanag prepare, cook and serve dishes. Likewise, the Ibanag's trust in the power of a God is best illustrated in their habit of praying before and after meals. Praying to God is a sign of thanksgiving for, not only a sumptuous eating time but also an enjoyable bonding or get-together. Foods are symbol of peacemaking, friendship, respect, social acceptance, and economic status within the community.
Along with the nutritional effects of the Ybanag foods, come a litany of socio-cultural meanings of foods. One of these is the taboo which governs pregnant women particularly.
Among the Ybanag, food determine what kind of food a pregnant should not eat. These are broiled eggplant, coconut, twin bananas, ginger, alibabag, gabi, mungo, and catfish.
For example, eating eggplant among the new mother or pregnant woman is prohibited for she will feel itch all over her body including her navel.
Further, foods among the Ybanag make the body sturdy. here is no best medicine for the body except foods.
Moreover, the Ibanag old folks associate meanings and symbols to some foods particularly pigs. During mappatuno, (mounting the cornerstone of a house), the Ybanag family slaughters pig. Its blood is offered as an atang- which includes tinunu nga agal (roasted liver), and roasted pork. The Ybanag believe that offering atang during mappatuno appeases the gods and unseen spirit dwelling in the place not to harm the house-owners but guard and bless the latter.
Among the Ybanag, atang or offering is necessary before or during the mounting/laying of the cornerstone of a house so as not to anger the unseen spirits. Also, for the unseen spirits to give enlightenment to the owners of the house. An Ybanag husband slaughtered a pig when he laid the cornerstone of our house. Then, he offered the pig's blood as an atang to the unseen spirits. The man believed that the pig's blood is a favorite of the spirits.
Furthermore, the Ybanag have a strong faith that when transferring to a new house, the first to be brought inside the new home should be asin (salt). It is believed that salt sheds calmness or peace in the home.
Salt lightens one's life. As illustrated in the Bible, salt sheds peace of one's mind, which results in peace and harmony among the members of the family in the new house.
These and many more give meaning to Ybanag food culture, as food culture define and give meaning to the Ybanag race.
