Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

IT was a refreshing surprise to see a picture book that does not involve cute monsters or animals. But it is more amusing, in a good way, to see one that crosses the boundaries of what one expects it should be.

But a children’s picture book about pancit?

A heartwarming story about a Filipino girl who cooks her favorite noodle dish with her mother, Cora Cooks Pancit is just not about cooking pancit. "The book is not just for the Filipino audience, it is about celebrating the family," said author Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore.

"It is about cooking with your parents."

Released just last April on Amazon.com (and now available in bookstores), Cora Cooks Pancit has so far received favorable reviews. "It has been exciting," said Dorina, who has recently done the rounds of book signings at bookstores and festivals.

A second generation Filipino-Italian American, Dorina’s grandparents from her father’s side emigrated from the Philippines to Hawaii. Her lolo, Frank Lazo later met his bride, Cora Taclindo in Hawaii and was a cook for the Filipino farmworkers who picked strawberries and grapes in the fields.

Growing up, Dorina’s father and grandparents were her link to her Asian heritage. "They were intentional about the Filipino culture," she said and added, "We would go to different parties, Filipino clubs, watch performances and would try the food." In her book, she infused her experiences being in the kitchen with her Lola Cora, whose specialties were pancit, chicken adobo and lumpia.

Thinking on the Filipino food culture, one may ask Dorina why she opted for pancit rather than adobo, which is just as popular in many Filipino dinner tables. Explaining that pancit is also a dish made all over the Philippines, the noodle theme gives it a universal appeal. "I chose pancit because I felt like it could relate to other Asian noodle dishes," she said.

"I’ve always dreamed of writing picture books for kids," she said. Although she is also working on a novel, her next project also includes another book for children. "It’s about a Filipino child learning to dance the tinikling," she said excitedly.

Food and then dance? With that in mind, we look forward to seeing Dorina’s next book. For the meantime, pancit anyone?

Cora Cooks Pancit is published by Shen’s Books, with illustrations by Kristi Valiant. For more information, log on to www.shens.com.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on June 19, 2009 in SF Magazine p. 2 )