Title: Culinary Nostalgia and Postcolonial Identity: A Postcolonial Reading of Carmen Guerrero Nakpil's Where's the Patis? Through Edward Said's Orientalism
Authors: Kimberly N. Lapid, LPT, MAEd
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Pages: 122-127
Publication Date: 2026/03/28
Abstract:
This paper examines Carmen Guerrero Nakpil's essay Where's the Patis? through the lens of post-colonial theory, specifically Edward Said's concept of Orientalism. The study explores how Filipino identity, culture, and diaspora are represented in the context of migration, mimicry, and nostalgia. Using a textual analysis approach, the essay is analyzed for post-colonial themes such as mimicry, colonial ideology, diaspora, and the quest for cultural identity. Findings indicate that despite cultural adaptation abroad, Filipinos maintain strong ties to their homeland, particularly through culinary practices, language, and social behaviors, reflecting the resilience of Filipino identity. This study contributes to understanding Filipino diasporic literature within post-colonial discourse.