Until today, the debate on what is the national food of the Philippines continues. Some declare it is the adobo because this is traditional food. Some say it is sinigang, because the ingredients are easily mixed and matched. Still, others cry it is kinilaw because it is genuine and the purest food that can represent the whole nation.

So, what exactly is Filipino food? Or better yet, how does food become Filipino?

In Dila at Bandila, the first book in the Lasa ng Republika series, join Ige Ramos on his quest for the national taste of the Philippines and to find out why, of all the foods the Philippines is known for, there is special group of Filipino food which for him symbolizes the taste that is truly Filipino.c