This is a legend or alamat in Filipino, about how and why the ampalaya got it's bubbly, ugly texture and bitter taste. Alamat ng Ampalaya teaches the children that envy and greed which is not a good attitude can bring untoward consequences.
This Filipino children's story was written by Augie Rivera, a talented Filipino author who has won many awards in the field of children's literature. Below are some awards that he received as an outstanding writer.
1995 - Best Fiction for Children - National Writers Workshop of the University of the Philippines.
1995 - International Board of Books for Young People -
Outstanding Book for Young People with Disability
1999 - Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature,Third Prize, Best Children's Story
Other children's book written by Augie Rivera
Ang Bata sa Basket (The Baby in the Basket)Xilef
Ang Gintong Habihan (The Golden Loom, Filipino Stories)
Kids Deserve a Smoke-Free World
Sa Ilalim ng Dagat (Under the Sea)
Batang Historyador (The Talkative Child)
Alamat ng Sibuyas (The Legend of the Onion)
The Ampalaya Plant (Bitter Melon or Bitter Gourd)
(Momordica Charantia)
Aside from it's unglamorous and rocky appearance, ampalaya has also a bitter taste. Other vegetables are nice looking and good tasting like the tomato but ampalaya seems to have all the downsides. It's characteristics however was finely exploited by the author of the Legend of the Bitter Gourd, to teach children some qualities that are not worth bringing into our lives.
People find ways to counteract the bitter taste of ampalaya by cooking it together with other recipes. Mixing the chopped ampalaya with eggs can turn its taste delightful to the taste buds and at the same time reaping the many health benefits of ampalaya.
Ampalaya is also processed into a tea which are good for fighting against diabetes.
