ULAM: Main Dish

ULAM: Main Dish is a 2018 enthralling documentary by director Alexandra Cuerdo that takes viewers on a gastronomic expedition into the rich and diverse culinary culture of the Philippines. The term ‘ULAM,’ in the Philippine language, refers to the main dish, around which meals are traditionally arranged.

The film anchors its focal point on a new generation of chefs, including Alvin Cailan and Nicole Ponseca, who’re earnestly striving to bring their indigenous cuisine to the mainstream American palette. Cinematically sumptuous and enticing, the documentary comprises a series of vignettes that provide glimpses into the world of Filipino food and insight into the passionate individuals working behind the scenes to bring it to the forefront.

In the movie, Alvin Cailan, the founder of the renowned Eggslut in Los Angeles, an eatery noted for its unconventional but prime approach towards the humble sandwich, propels viewers into the boundless culinary landscape of the Pacific archipelago. Nicole Ponseca, another prominent figure in the movie and the New York dining scene, is the owner of Maharlika and Jeepney, two critically acclaimed Filipino restaurants. Each chef narrates their personal journey – the struggles and triumphs they had surmounted in their quest to popularize Filipino cuisine, which is relatively unknown compared to its Asian counterparts like Chinese and Thai food.

The movie explores numerous elements and dimensions of Filipino cuisine, from its humble homely roots up to its adaptation into contemporary, high-end restaurant dishes. Food is presented as a fluid art form that transcends borders and cultures, nurturing a sense of shared identity and communal dining. ULAM prominently magnifies familiar dishes such as Adobo, Sinigang, Lechon, and Halo-Halo while shedding light on lesser-known items such as Kare-kare and Kinilaw.

Unfolding against the energizing, fast-paced backdrop of celebrated dining locations across the United States, the documentary also invites viewers to gage the intricate culinary interplay between the Philippines and the U.S. Traditional Philippine recipes are often molded, twisted, and fused with western techniques to create a whole new food paradigm that draws diners in by being both exotic and familiar.

Simultaneously, ULAM: Main Dish delves into the deeper social and historical facets of food. The documentary presents a well-researched narrative, probing into the past colonial influences that have contributed significantly to modeling the Philippine cuisine, as well as the immigration patterns that led to the progressive integration of Filipino food in the U.S.

The film captures the heart of regional food and illuminates the struggles and successes of immigrant-driven entrepreneurship. It touches on the strength, resilience, and adaptability of immigrants to America and how they bring pieces of their homeland into the heart of United States culture. It is a wholesome blend of business survival in a competitive environment, cultural representation, and the captivating power of culinary passion.

The film also introduces audiences to other key personalities making strides in the Filipino food movement in America, such as chefs Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa, Johneric Concordia, Chase Valencia, Chad and Chase Valencia, Andre Guerrero, and many others. Each one has their unique culinary style, philosophy, and attachment to their culinary roots which brings about an enriching, diversified perspective towards Filipino cuisine.

As the movie concludes, the viewers not just get a heightened understanding or curiosity for their next Filipino meal but also the essence of what food signifies - A sense of home, family and heritage. Ultimately, ULAM: Main Dish serves as a testament to the diversity of American food culture, the role of immigrant communities in shaping this landscape, and the perseverance of these individuals to make an indelible mark on the American culinary scene.

Explicitly, ULAM: Main Dish allows the audience to explore the notions of identity, diaspora, and the power of cuisine as a cultural ambassador. It brings Filipino food from the peripheral edge of the American food scene to a well-deserved spot at the central table, and it does so with a deep respect and love for the cuisine that reverberates throughout the film.

Chockful of mouthwatering visuals, intimate personal stories, and sheer gastronomic audacity, ULAM: Main Dish serves up a feast — both for the eyes and the soul. It is both a mouthwatering food documentary for culinary enthusiasts and a deeply insightful film about cultural identity and immigrant success stories. It leaves you with an enriched view of the Filipino Community and their shared love for 'ULAM.'