Lasang Pinoy: Noche Buena

Can you feel your cholesterol levels rise by just looking at these photos? As my friend would say, you make it hard, babe! He meant his arteries...

No, these were not on my noche buena table. I took these gruesome photos in one of the Christmas parties I attended last week. Lechon, or suckling pig, is the centerpiece of Filipino parties, a symbol of our love for celebrations. And during the holiday season, lechon completes the noche buena feast.

My mother's family loves lechon and my grandmother had a small piggery so my uncles could roast a pig anytime. Anything was celebrated...an uncle spelled "lineage" correctly, Lola had a pig roasted; there was lechon on the table after an aunt got her driver's license. My little brother choked on chocolates, he survived---my uncle roasted a pig as thanksgiving. You get the picture.:D Grandfather, by the way, died from coronary thrombosis, Lola succumbed to cardiac arrest. The rest of the family has high blood pressure.

Words from our sponsor: Cholesterol is found only in animal products. Foods from plants do not contain cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol can lead to heart disease. If you binged on lechon and other fat-rich foods during the holidays, please don't forget to have your cholesterol levels checked soon. Don't wait for symptoms.

Posted for Lasang Pinoy.