Saturday, March 22, 2008
PRETTY AS A PINEAPPLE
Although the pineapple has traveled and proliferated in many countries from its original home in the lowlands of Brazil, it is only in the Philippines that its fiber was used to create the delicate fabric of marvelous tensile strength called piña.
So fine and precious the quality of this unique handwoven fabric that during the Spanish period, it was sent as gifts to royalty such as Queen Victoria. Samples of embroidered piña are supposedly still preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Historical accounts may claim that it was the Spaniards who introduced the pineapple from Mexico to the Philippines, but others may argue that it was the early Chinese traders who brought it to the archipelago.
Be that as it may, the pineapple in these photographs is growing at my mother's backyard. About a year ago, instead of throwing away the green top off a pineapple fruit, she asked to have it planted in the backyard. It was because she heard from her kumadre that the scent of pineapple leaves prevent snakes from intruding into the yard. I guess, all those news reports on TV about giant pythons being found in several parts of Metro Manila scared her.
I am somewhat skeptical of the power of the pineapple leaves to deter snakes from venturing into the yard; otherwise, my Aunt Isabel would have surrounded her small poultry farm with these delightful fruit-bearing leaves. Believe me, those slithering reptiles that came attracted by the scent of her chickens were not a pretty sight, especially for little children engaged in the game of hide and seek during the late summer afternoons.
However, I am one of those who tremendously enjoy sweet pineapples from as far back as I can remember, though I had no idea that its young fruit can be so pretty; that is, until I saw one growing at my mother's backyard.
Plant a pineapple - directions for young gardeners
by Kay Melchisedech Olson (Flower & Garden Magazine)
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:14 AM
18 Comments:
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mgaputonimimi said... ito po ba yung pineapple na nakakakain?
or rare kind?parang iba ang kulay. ^_^-
Aura said...
The pineapple pboto is really beatiful SE!For a moment i thought it was one of the exotic ornamental plant that we can buy in the market.
I just hope that someday the pineapple top i planted in a pot may bear fruit..hahaha!! (just wishing)
Hope all is well with you
Best regards and Happy Easter!!-
Ebb Tide said...
I have seen this red version of the pieapple in the Hawaii's Dole Plantation 2 yrs. ago. It's very lovely but I think your photo is far more lovelier. You captured the essence of Impressionists paintings mostly painted with complimentary colors such as RED and GREEN. The RED and GREEN set side by side evoke such loveliness. Wishing you a "Happy Easter!"
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KJS said...
My non-pinoy boyfriend calls me Pina Colada ... should I be worried that he is subconciously racist or fruitist?
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Señor Enrique said...
That's actually a very young fruit of a typical pineapple bought at the local "palengke," Mimi. I, too, was very much surprised of its stunning colors.
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Señor Enrique said...
Thank you, Aura and a Happy Easter to you, too.
Is the pot big enough for the pineapple to grown in? It does look like an ornamental plant, doesn't it?-
Señor Enrique said...
Oh, thank you, Ebb Tide! This might have been a pineapple from the local Dole plantation variety :)
Wishing you a Happy Easter as well!-
Señor Enrique said...
Hmmm ... he may just be simply drunken in love with you, BNY ... hehehe! Love pina colada, especially those in San Juna, PR.
Cheers!-
said... I know it's already EASTER there and please let me greet everyone " a happy Easter day".
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Señor Enrique said...
And may you have a wonderful Easter as well, friend :)
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nutart said...
Happy Easter, Eric!
I have a book on the Pina (the author having Aklanons as the pina weavers). The art of pina weaving and embroidery is so meticulous and said to be a dying art. I guess the author was on a UNESCO grant or something and with this grant is helping to revive and continue this exquisite artform.
We also have planted several pinas from chopped off heads of other pinas bought. The next generations are not that sweet anymore (as I noticed) but they make beautiful garden ornmanetal plants nevertheless!-
said...
The pineapple is beautiful. I like its colour. Perhaps I've never seen a pineapple growing from its early stages and seriously the colour is really attractive.
(:
I never knew the scent of pineapple leaves can deter snakes from venturing around the house. Apparently my mother once said that if you leave a few stalks of pandan leaves tied together in the car it can deter roaches from entering too.-
Photo Cache said...
Happy Easter senor.
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Señor Enrique said...
Whoa! Hopefully we're able to sustain this marvelous art of pina weaving, Bernadette. It'd be a shame to allow it to die.
Hmmmm ... so the second generation pineapples are not as sweet, eh? Interesting.
Trust your Easter is just as wonderful!-
Señor Enrique said...
Now, that's something to keep in mind, Kyels -- keeping a few stalks of pandan leaves tied together in the car. I should try this.
Many thanks for sharing :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Thank you, Photo Cache! Trust your Easter is a nice one as well :)
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Unknown said...
i've never seen a pineapple as pretty as this one, eric. i didn't know that young pineapple has some purple tint...ganda!
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Señor Enrique said...
I was really surprised, Luna, that pineapple can be so pretty. But as Bernadette has said, it may no longer be as sweet.
