Woke up to suspended classes? Here are easy (and nostalgic) bites

Noodles just hit different post-class suspension announcement

Nostalgia has Filipinos in a chokehold. As a matter of fact, 75% of us would prefer to have grown up during the time of our parents’ childhood. This is according to a 2023 study by Ipsos, which further revealed that the Philippines ranks second among nostalgic APAC markets.

The funny thing? Some memories we assume are hyperspecific and personal are more universal than we think. Case in point: the sound of the rain’s pitter-patter on the window, the smell of breakfast food being fried and boiled, us already clad in our freshly-ironed school uniforms, our wet hair not drying up anytime soon because of the cold atmosphere, and a list of cities flashing on the sala TV screen during the breaking news on class suspensions.

While typhoons should never be romanticized, we can’t deny the collective nostalgia of the post-class suspension announcement euphoria – even Filipino content creators recreate this moment. There’s this excitement in what comes after waking up early: Should you now go back to bed, catch the morning cartoons, or better yet – dig into the food being prepared by your family?

The last one can be easy to replicate, thanks to easy (and budget-friendly!) meals and snacks you can whip up indoors. After briefly reminiscing with my high school friends – who also experienced the odd warmth brought by this nationwide experience – I’m sharing my grocery list.

A hot cup of noodles

Noodles have become a love language in Asia, but they do hit a little different when classes are suspended. In high school, I vividly remember being curled up in our wooden dining chair while still wearing my school socks, then gobbling up my favorite instant beef noodles as the final segment of my mother’s favorite morning show played in the background. Just a single pack of Lucky Me! Instant Mami noodles would conjure loads of memories, whether you’re a fellow beef flavor enjoyer or team chicken. As an adult, I still enjoy the hearty Filipino cup, but I do consider myself a member of the Lucky Me! noodles to Samyang Buldak Ramen fixation pipeline. Same feeling of warmth – only spicier.

Wax nostalgic:
🛒 Lucky Me! Instant Noodle Soup Beef na Beef Multipack
🛒 Lucky Me! Instant Noodle Soup Chicken na Chicken Multipack

Try something different:
🛒 Samyang Hot Chicken Ramen Noodles

A bowl of sweet champorado

If I’m making a case for how champorado is life, I’ll pull up my playlist entitled “champorado sa hapon” featuring Filipino songs from decades I never lived. But seriously, champorado is life, also quite literally. Glutinous rice offers carbohydrates that help us sprint through the day, plus cacao is an antioxidant-rich component that improves heart health, blood flow, and can trigger happy hormones. Champorado also means versatility, being easily paired with either breakfast tuyo or dilis, and even pandesal. It’s pretty accessible too, as a box of Maya Champorado Mix has been a kitchen shelf staple through the decades. Feeling a bit adventurous? Try Miguelitos’ Ube Champorado, another local gem.

Wax nostalgic:
🛒 Maya Champorado Mix

Try something different:
🛒 Miguelitos Ube Champorado

A warm drink

Before coffee took over our lives, chances are, a warm glass of chocolate was our main obsession. I didn’t even think that eating the chocolate powder (yes, as it is) was another nationwide experience, until I learned about my elementary classmate doing the same guilt-free – “pinapapak” is the perfect word, and it’s cool that there’s no direct English translation. In this case, Milo has cemented its presence in our childhood, even with their school tours. You can also try Oatly’s Oat Drink Chocolate, a plant-based drink with nutrients to keep our adult selves nourished (and can also blend well with our now go-to cup of coffee).

Wax nostalgic:
🛒 MILO ACTIV-GO Choco Malt Powdered Milk Drink

Try something different:
🛒 Oatly Oat Drink Chocolate

(Your almost-baon) sandwich

Classes are cancelled, but the baon has already been made. As a kid, I remember feeling happy whenever this happened, because that meant I could already take a bite of the peanut butter sandwich my mother prepared for me, instead of waiting for recess time. I’ll probably never get tired of the Lily’s Crunchy Peanut Butter Combo and Gardenia Classic White Bread combo. But a hot batch of Balai Pandesal’s Ube Cheese Pandesal can also feel as homey.

Wax nostalgic:
🛒 Lily’s Crunchy Peanut Butter
🛒 Gardenia Classic White Bread

Try something different:
🛒 Balai Pandesal Ube Cheese Pandesal

A savory plate of fried rice

The best thing about waking up early – apart from realizing you have so much time to do what you want to do – is that you can actually enjoy the food while it’s freshly-cooked. As far as nostalgia is concerned, I can still smell the aroma of my grandmother’s signature sinangag with pork chop. SPAM® Luncheon Meat (Less Sodium) was also an occasional welcome treat. Good thing I can easily satisfy my fried rice craving with an affordable sachet of UFC’s Fun Chow. The Seafood Yang Chow variant is my favorite, especially when I miss my favorite Chinese restaurant.

But you know what? I’m craving the entire silog universe as I write.

Wax nostalgic:
🛒 SPAM® Less Sodium Luncheon Meat

Try something different:
🛒 UFC Fun Chow Rice Mix Seafood Yang Chow

– Rappler.com

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