Planet Kyle: Let’s Talk Balutan
By Kyle Mandapat
Hafa Adai! Hope all is going well for you thus summer. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to check out the Liberation Carnival in Tiyan, it is fun for the whole family. This month’s subject comes from a letter I received last week. It reads:
Dear Kyle,
Thanks for the good reads these past months. Since coming to Guam they have helped me understand a couple things and have helped me make some friends at my new job. This month I will be hosting some friends and their families for a cookout. A friend of mine suggested I ask you about the custom of ‘balutan.’ Got any info for me?
With regards,
Effy
Hey Effy! Thanks for reading, I really do appreciate it! Let’s talk balutan…
Balutan is what we here on Guam call it when someone takes some food home from a party or get together. In my experience, it may include your leftovers from your meal, but most of the time includes another trip back to the table to grab another full plate or plates to chow form breakfast or dinner after the party. I got some quick tips for you.
Secure It
Whether using a zip lock bag or aluminum foil make sure your food is properly secured. Make sure all your stuff is stuffed where it should be. The last thing you need is some juices or rice flowing out of your takeaway and landing all over your car floor. Trust me, you don’t want your car smelling like finadene, especially when you don’t have rice.
Plan It
Don’t gonna crazy when packing your balutan. Plan it, strategically, no matter what your state of mind. Last thing you’re going to want to eat tomorrow morning is cake, packed with kimchee. Kimchee cake? Didn’t think so….
Time It
Finally, non fair balutaning at the beginning of the party. That has party fail written all over it. Grab your first round of chow, then dessert and when your just about ready to hit the bricks, reach for the foil and take care of bidness.
Hopefully this helps. If you got anything you would like info on please throw me a line at kyle@power98.com, or find me on Facebook or Twitter! Until next month, take care, have fun and I will see you on the radio!
About Kyle
Since his stage debut in 2006, Kyle Mandapat has been on the move with no plans of slowing down. Starting off in the entertainment scene on Guam as a Stand Up Comic, Kyle headlined over 20 locally sponsored comedy shows. It was his comedy show performances that lead to him being cast in the Fox6 Guam show, “The Buzz” where he started as an “On the Street” correspondent and later progressed to the co-host spot. In October of 2007, Kyle was introduced to radio audiences on Guam as an extra member of the Power 98 Morning Show. Kyle is currently a co-host on the rebranded morning show, “The Morning Blender with Kai and Kyle.”
