Sugar High

What does it take to make a kid happy? In a rural Philippine barangay, a can of molasses and a wooden stick.

A day spent in Pampanga province. Throughout the morning kids gather to watch Dave work. At one point I spy a little girl blissfully licking what looks like a Slo-Poke. 'Molasses,' our friend says. 'Pure molasses.'

Of course. The Philippines is awash in cane sugar.

She procures a can of inuyat (molasses in Pampango) from a sari-sari (a tiny store selling everything) down the road - and what had been a gaggle of pint-sized observers suddenly swells to a crowd.

There's an art to making your own molasses sucker. The stuff is thick and sticky, difficult to stir and twirl around a stick.

Patience, and just the right amount of elbow grease, are rewarded with a portable sweet-smoky treat.

Still, not a few sticks are broken in the process.

Someone rustles up a spoon, and service quickens a bit.

The can is passed from adult hand to adult hand. Everyone has their own technique.

No mob behavior here. Just silent anticipation.

And finally, reward.

(By the way, you don't have to be a kid to love a molasses pop.)

Once the can is emptied pent-up energy animates the air. A fast and furious game of picture cards coalesces in a corner.

Elsewhere, sugar highs are worked off in a frenzy of leaps and flailing limbs, high-pitched yelps, and ear-to-ear grins.

Here, now, happiness is a can of molasses.

Comments

[yammylicious*]

whn young mom used do tat for us too! missing it alot! thxQ so much ya!
and merry xmas to u =)

[ELE]

How wonderful that happiness is a can of molasses. Would that we could all more often derive true pleasure from such simple things.
By the way, the children photograph beautifully. What big eyes, what serious anticipation!
Happy New Year, Robyn and Dave.

[Mama BoK]

Wonderful.. such simplicity.. :)

[Ron]

My father in law, who is in his 70's, tells of when he was a young boy growing up in the North Carolina mountains U.S. A local man there would make molasses each year. The children would gather around and someone would whittle sticks to give each child. The children would take their sticks to the molasses trough and gather some up on their stick to lick and enjoy.
I love your post. Thanks for sharing the story and beautiful photos of the children.

[juls]

i just love the simplicity of it all, the interaction between you guys and the locals and the honesty of your work. no sugar-coating, in your case, no molasses-coating....

how come you've only traveled to pampanga? why not the visayan islands or davao?

[Robyn]

Yammy - thanks - and Happy New Year to you!

ELE - I had the same thought that day, as Christmas, with all its consumerist excess, was approaching. Happy New Year to you too.

Ron - great, thanks for sharing that. I suppose it happens whereever molasses is made! And you're welcome. I am very partial to these photos, myself. :-)

Thanks Juls. Really appreciate that compliment. As to why Pampanga, we have a good friend there and the food at his house is spectacular! But we will be heading south in February, destination to be decided.... Happy New Year!

[steamy kitchen]

haha - i love the sugar high picture!!!

[Ann]

What beautiful photos these are.

[Pete]

I've always loved reading your blogspot, and your latest write-up and photos are simply marvellous.

Happy New Year & looking forward to more of your wonderful accounts in 2008.

[juls]

yes.. i hope you do an island-hopping trip in the south... hmmm...some food for thought:

start in Manila --> fly to Boracay --> take the landtrip through Aklan, Capiz and ending in Iloilo --> take a sidetrip to Guimaras for the Mangoes --> cross the strait to my hometown Bacolod for more culinary experiences --> take the bus going to Dumaguete and take the fastcraft to Bohol --> from Bohol you end up in Cebu!

[Helena]

I've been reading your blog for about a year now and I am always dazzled by your photos and tales of food. However this is the first time I've felt compelled to comment. This entry and the pictures are nothing short of amazing! I've never heard of a molasses pop or even a can of molasses, but I want to try!

[Robyn]

steamy - I think every kid has been there, at one time or another. ;-)

Ann, Pete - thank you!

Juls- won't have time for island hopping, but we will pick one island probably, and try to do it justice). We're not big 'beach people' ... unless the beach has great food, that is! ;-)

Helena, thanks very much. Welcome to EatingAsia!