It seems the end of March—and coincidentally the middle of Holy Week—has seen Filipinos talk about two dishes that are usually on opposite sides of the spectrum: the humble lugaw or rice porridge or congee and lechon or roasted pig.

The week started with Netizens flaming over President Rodrigo Duterte and his aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go for this incriminating video.

It showed the Philippine President having more than just a “rice” birthday cake via Go’s photo posted on his Instagram account.

Netizens slammed Duterte and Go for supposedly trying to “fool” Netizens into thinking the President is indeed living a simple life, as well as calling him out for trying to touch his house help in a place that should not.

They clapped back at Palace spokesperson Harry Roque for defending Duterte’s seemingly innocent move to try and touch his house help’s genitals.

Today, however, Netizens are going toward the opposite end of the Filipino food spectrum and calling out a barangay official for denying entry to the humble lugaw.

A viral clip of a delivery app rider discussing with an official from Barangay Muzon, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan about whether his delivery of lugaw was considered “essential” made waves on social media on March 31.

According to reports, the incident happened on Tuesday, March 30, during the second day of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the NCR Plus bubble that included the Bulacan province.

“Essential po ba si lugaw? Hindi. Kasi mabubuhay ang tao ng walang lugaw,” said the female barangay tanod.

She added that groceries are the only ones considered “essential” according to printouts of Roque’s presentation to the media on Saturday, March 27, during the announcement of the shift to ECQ.

Marvin Ignacio, the delivery rider, would then be told to go back across the border when the woman insisted that even the services of food delivery riders were deemed non-essential.

She would also highlight how the curfew hours, which starts at 6 pm and ends at 5 am, were also in effect—and that it extended to “non-essential” work like those of Ignacio.

She would even threaten Ignacio with a violation ticket, which would mean he would have to go back to Bulacan and pay off the fee before can get his driver’s license back.

Netizens banded around Ignacio and other food delivery riders for threats of being hampered by officials of Barangay Muzon.

Others made fun of the barangay tanod, pointing out how she is not doing her job in full understanding of the protocols during ECQ.

A Netizen even recounted her experience during the first wave of ECQ in 2020.

Memes have also sprouted using the hashtag #LugawIsEssential, with Grab Philippines, the company that Ignacio is working for, taking the initiative.

Even Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has been “updated”.

Fortunately for the barangay official, Roque has come out with a statement earlier tonight explaining the protocols and guidelines that flew over her head.

In his statement, Roque said, “Lugaw, or any food item for that matter, is considered an essential good. Delivery of food items must remain unhampered 24/7.”

 

Original Source