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Food, recipes & culture

The Hernandez Journal

Practical Filipino recipes and carefully sourced answers about the Philippines—written for our Bunbury community and curious readers across Australia.

Unbranded bowl of red-orange Filipino banana ketchup with cooking bananas, garlic, spices and pork barbecue skewers

· 9 min read

What Is Banana Ketchup? An Australian Guide to the Filipino Condiment

Learn what banana ketchup tastes like, how Filipinos use it, its documented history and what Australians should check when buying and serving it.

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Glowing Filipino parol lantern, candles, bibingka, puto bumbong and ginger tea outside a church before dawn

· 9 min read

What Is Simbang Gabi? A Filipino Christmas Tradition Explained

Discover what Simbang Gabi means, when the nine Filipino Christmas Masses are held, what foods follow and how the tradition continues in Australia.

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Bowl of Filipino arroz caldo with chicken, ginger rice porridge, fried garlic, spring onion, egg and a citrus wedge

· 9 min read

Filipino Arroz Caldo Recipe: Ginger Chicken Rice Porridge

Make Filipino arroz caldo with chicken, ginger, garlic and rice using Australian measurements, practical substitutions and safe cooling guidance.

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Colourful birthday buffet with Filipino-style spring rolls, rice noodles, grilled skewers, rice, fruit and a cake beneath festive bunting

· 9 min read

Birthday Catering Bunbury: A Filipino Party Food Planning Guide

Planning birthday catering in Bunbury? Build a practical Filipino party menu, manage allergens, time the buffet and prepare your venue with confidence.

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Colourful chrome Filipino jeepney with red, blue and yellow painted panels parked on a sunny street

· 9 min read

What Is a Jeepney? An Australian Guide to the Philippines’ Iconic Transport

What is a jeepney? Learn how this Philippine public transport vehicle developed, how it works, what its art means and why modernisation is debated.

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Bowl of Filipino kare-kare with tender beef, eggplant, snake beans and bok choy in orange-gold peanut sauce, served with rice and bagoong

· 9 min read

Filipino Kare-Kare Recipe: Peanut Stew for Australian Kitchens

Make a Filipino kare-kare recipe with tender oxtail, vegetables and a rich peanut sauce, using Australian measurements and practical substitutions.

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Tall glass of Filipino halo-halo layered with shaved ice, milk, sweet beans, colourful jellies, ube and leche flan

· 9 min read

What Is Halo-Halo? An Australian Guide to the Filipino Shaved-Ice Dessert

What is halo-halo? Discover the Filipino shaved-ice dessert, its ingredients, textures, variations and how to order or assemble it in Australia.

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Adult Tinikling performers stepping between parallel bamboo poles during a modern staged cultural performance

· 9 min read

What Is Tinikling? An Australian Guide to the Filipino Bamboo Dance

What is Tinikling? Learn how the Filipino bamboo dance works, what its history can reliably tell us, and how Australians can watch or learn it respectfully.

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Bowl of Filipino garlic fried rice topped with crisp golden garlic beside a fried egg and tomato wedges

· 9 min read

Filipino Garlic Fried Rice Recipe: Sinangag for Australian Kitchens

Make Filipino garlic fried rice with crisp toasted garlic, separate grains and safe chilled rice using this practical Australian kitchen guide.

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Filipino-inspired office catering buffet with noodles, rice, skewers and spring rolls in a bright meeting room

· 9 min read

Office Catering Bunbury: A Filipino Food Guide for Workplace Events

Planning office catering in Bunbury? Build a practical Filipino menu for meetings, team lunches and workplace celebrations with this local guide.

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Unlabelled bottles of Filipino-style vinegar beside a garlic and chilli dipping sauce, sugarcane and coconut

· 9 min read

What Is Filipino Vinegar? An Australian Guide to Suka

What is Filipino vinegar? Learn the main types of suka, how each tastes, how Filipinos use it and what Australians should check when buying it.

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Golden Filipino turon banana spring rolls with one cut open to show banana and jackfruit

· 9 min read

Filipino Turon Recipe: Crispy Banana Spring Rolls for Australian Kitchens

Make Filipino turon with caramelised banana, jackfruit and crisp spring-roll wrappers, plus Australian ingredient and frying guidance.

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Cream embroidered Barong Tagalog-style formal shirt arranged beside black trousers on a timber table

· 9 min read

What Is a Barong Tagalog? An Australian Guide

What is a Barong Tagalog? Learn its history, fabrics, embroidery, formal use and how Australians can wear and buy one respectfully.

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Glossy Filipino pork barbecue skewers with caramelised edges cooking over a charcoal grill

· 9 min read

Filipino Pork Barbecue Recipe: Sweet-Savoury Skewers for Australian BBQs

Make Filipino pork barbecue with a sweet, tangy marinade, caramelised skewers and practical grilling and food-safety guidance.

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Overhead tasting selection showing steamed, baked, sticky, layered and banana-leaf-wrapped Filipino rice cakes

· 9 min read

What Is Kakanin? An Australian Guide to Filipino Rice Cakes

What is kakanin? Discover Filipino rice cakes, their regional variety, ingredients, textures and what Australian shoppers should know.

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Contemporary wedding buffet with Filipino-inspired shared dishes, white linen, native greenery and subtle gold details

· 9 min read

Filipino Wedding Catering in Bunbury: A South West Reception Guide

Plan Filipino wedding catering in Bunbury with menu, venue, timing, allergy and public-space guidance for a smooth South West WA reception.

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Filipino-style spaghetti with glossy red-orange sauce, minced meat, sliced red sausages and finely grated pale cheese

· 9 min read

Why Is Filipino Spaghetti Sweet? An Australian Guide

Why is Filipino spaghetti sweet? Learn what shapes its sauce, why hotdogs and cheese belong, how versions vary and what Australians can expect.

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Woven homecoming gift basket with unbranded biscuits, dried tropical fruit, coffee, confectionery and a small handcrafted textile

· 9 min read

What Is Pasalubong? An Australian Guide to Filipino Homecoming Gifts

What is pasalubong? Learn the meaning of this Filipino homecoming-gift tradition, thoughtful food ideas and Australia’s current biosecurity rules.

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Bowl of Filipino pork sinigang with tamarind broth, pork ribs, eggplant, green beans, radish, tomato and leafy greens beside steamed rice

· 9 min read

Filipino Pork Sinigang Recipe: A Sour Soup for Australian Kitchens

Cook a Filipino pork sinigang recipe with tamarind, tender pork and vegetables. Includes Australian ingredient options, clear steps and troubleshooting.

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Unlabelled glass cruet and bowl of amber Filipino-style fish sauce beside calamansi, garlic, chilli, rice and grilled fish

· 9 min read

What Is Patis? An Australian Guide to Filipino Fish Sauce

What is patis? Learn how Filipino fish sauce is made, how it differs from bagoong, where it is used and what Australian shoppers should check.

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Filipino-Australian community volunteers arranging unbranded food boxes and a shared table in a bright community hall

· 9 min read

What Is Bayanihan? A Guide to Filipino Community Spirit

What is bayanihan? Learn how this Filipino tradition of shared effort works, what the house-carrying image means and how it lives on in Australia.

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Filipino-style leche flan with glossy golden caramel and one slice revealing the smooth custard

· 9 min read

Filipino Leche Flan Recipe: Silky Caramel Custard for Australian Kitchens

Make a silky Filipino leche flan recipe with golden caramel, practical Australian measurements, a gentle water bath and reliable troubleshooting tips.

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Filipino-style spread with adobo, pancit, lumpia, sour soup, rice and separate bowls of chilli and spiced vinegar

· 9 min read

Is Filipino Food Spicy? An Australian Guide to Heat and Flavour

Is Filipino food spicy? Learn which dishes are mild or hot, how Filipino flavour works, and how to order confidently in Australia.

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Philippine national flag arranged respectfully with white sampaguita flowers in soft morning light

· 9 min read

Why Is Philippine Independence Day Celebrated on 12 June?

Why is Philippine Independence Day on 12 June? Follow the 1898 declaration, the 1946 republic and the decision that established today’s national day.

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Filipino beef caldereta with tender beef, potatoes, carrots, capsicum and green olives served beside steamed rice

· 10 min read

Filipino Beef Caldereta Recipe: A Rich Stew for Australian Kitchens

Cook a rich Filipino beef caldereta recipe with tender beef, tomato, liver spread and vegetables, plus Australian ingredient and food-safety guidance.

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Fresh pandan leaves with pandan extract, steamed rice and a coconut dessert in a warm kitchen setting

· 9 min read

What Is Pandan? An Australian Guide to the Fragrant Southeast Asian Leaf

What is pandan? Learn how the fragrant leaf tastes, how Filipinos use it, how fresh leaves differ from extracts and what Australian shoppers should check.

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Filipino merienda spread with pancit, turon-style banana rolls, leaf-wrapped rice cakes, bread, fruit, coffee and tea

· 9 min read

What Is Merienda? An Australian Guide to Filipino Snack Time

What is merienda? Discover the Filipino light-meal tradition, popular sweet and savoury choices, regional variety and practical tips for enjoying it in Australia.

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Golden Filipino lumpiang Shanghai spring rolls arranged on a platter with sweet chilli dipping sauce

· 9 min read

Filipino Lumpia Recipe: Crispy Lumpiang Shanghai for Australian Kitchens

Make a reliable Filipino lumpia recipe with pork, vegetables and crisp spring-roll wrappers, plus rolling, frying, allergy and food-safety guidance.

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Ceramic bowl of Filipino fermented shrimp paste with green mango, garlic, onion and chilli on a warm kitchen table

· 9 min read

What Is Bagoong? An Australian Guide to Filipino Fermented Seafood Paste

What is bagoong? Learn how Filipino fish and shrimp pastes differ, how they are used, what Australians should check on labels and how to taste them respectfully.

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Glowing Filipino parol lantern beside a Christmas table with shared noodles, roast pork, rice cakes and fruit

· 9 min read

Why Do Filipinos Celebrate Christmas So Early?

Why do Filipinos celebrate Christmas so early? Explore the ‘ber’ months, Simbang Gabi, parol lanterns, Noche Buena and Filipino Christmas in Australia.

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Filipino pancit bihon with thin rice noodles, cabbage, carrot, chicken, Chinese sausage and citrus on a shared platter

· 9 min read

Filipino Pancit Bihon Recipe: An Australian Home-Cook Guide

Make a reliable Filipino pancit bihon recipe with rice noodles, vegetables, chicken and citrus, plus practical Australian ingredient and food-safety guidance.

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Bowl of deep purple ube halaya beside cut purple yam and coconut milk in a warm home kitchen

· 9 min read

What Is Ube? An Australian Guide to Filipino Purple Yam

What is ube? Learn what Filipino purple yam is, how it differs from taro and purple sweet potato, how it is used, and what to check when buying it in Australia.

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Steamed white rice at the centre of a Filipino shared table with adobo, vegetables, grilled fish and dipping sauces

· 9 min read

Why Is Rice Important in Filipino Culture?

Why is rice important in Filipino culture? Explore its place in everyday meals, language, farming, celebrations and Filipino food in Australia.

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Beginner Filipino pantry ingredients including rice, noodles, vinegar, coconut milk, garlic and citrus arranged on a table

· 9 min read

Filipino Grocery Store Bunbury: A Beginner’s Pantry Guide

Looking for a Filipino grocery store in Bunbury? Use this practical guide to shop for pantry essentials, read labels and start cooking Filipino food.

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Filipino fiesta table with pancit, lumpia, chicken adobo, rice cakes and colourful banderitas

· 9 min read

What Is a Filipino Fiesta? A Cultural Guide for Australians

What is a Filipino fiesta? Learn how faith, local history, harvests, food and community shape celebrations across the Philippines and in Australia.

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Filipino chicken adobo in a dark vinegar and soy braising sauce served beside steamed rice

· 9 min read

Filipino Chicken Adobo Recipe: An Australian Home-Cook Guide

Cook Filipino chicken adobo at home with an Australian-friendly method, clear ingredient guidance, authentic context and practical food-safety advice.

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Fresh green and orange calamansi fruits with cut halves showing their juicy segmented interior

· 9 min read

What Is Calamansi? An Australian Guide to the Filipino Citrus

What is calamansi? Learn how this small Filipino citrus tastes, how it is used, what Australians can substitute and how to source it responsibly.

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Filipino catering buffet in Bunbury with adobo, pancit, lumpia, rice, grilled pork belly and vegetables

· 9 min read

Filipino Catering in Bunbury: How to Plan a Menu Guests Will Enjoy

Planning an event in Bunbury? Learn how to choose Filipino catering, balance familiar and traditional dishes, manage dietary needs and brief your caterer.

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Filipino feast with chicken adobo, pancit noodles, lumpia, sour soup and steamed rice

· 8 min read

A Beginner’s Guide to Filipino Food

Discover adobo, pancit, lumpia, sinigang and the regional flavours that make Filipino food one of Southeast Asia’s most diverse cuisines.

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Friends sharing Filipino dishes by hand at a traditional kamayan feast on banana leaves

· 8 min read

What Is a Kamayan Feast? A Respectful Guide for Australians

Learn what kamayan means, how a Filipino communal feast works and how to enjoy the experience respectfully with family, friends or colleagues.

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Adobong kangkong water spinach with garlic and soy-vinegar sauce served beside steamed rice

· 8 min read

Easy Adobong Kangkong Recipe: Filipino Water Spinach

Cook a quick Filipino vegetable dish with water spinach, garlic, vinegar and soy sauce, with practical Australian ingredient substitutions and serving ideas.

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Multi-generational Filipino Australian community gathering and sharing food together

· 9 min read

Philippine Culture: 12 Questions Australians Often Ask

A carefully sourced guide to Filipino languages, regional diversity, family life, food, fiestas and living cultural traditions.

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