UNINESS

Food does not only satisfy biological needs by curbing hunger, but also brings along social connection, forging bonds between people through having meals together. Food habits reflect regional cultures, where diverse living environments nurture particular tastes and cooking methods. From simple daily meals, to seasonal fine dishes, or commonplace delicacies, each type of food plays a crucial role within a family or society. 

Food is a necessity, yet food acquisition depends on the locality of its origin. Regional food culture is formed around food availability, for instance seaside inhabitants fish in the ocean, make belacan, or involve in clam aquaculture; whereas inland folks cultivate land or gather edible food in the wilderness. Food and beverages entrepreneuring is the most ordinary practice, from operating home-based workshops to hawker stalls, or managing retail outlets, they insist on using genuine ingredients, focusing on food quality, and working hard to make ends meet. 

The food we grow up eating is associated with warm personal feelings, each bite we taste contains fond memories. Chinese forefathers who emigrated overseas in the early days preserved their native food culture and its context. For instance when Hainanese rice dumplings are consumed during fortunate times, it locks in good luck; when consumed in misfortune, it wards away bad luck. Chinese New Year rice cakes symbolize good prospects; FuZhou Peace Eggs bear hopes for the safety of the entire family; traditional Hokkien bridal cookies——Mua Lao and Lao Huei, all being familiar relishes and collective memories, passing on the legacy of food culture.

As lifestyles change over time, prevailing tastes also alter, moreover some ingredients were hard to source or barely tolerated by the general public, with onerous and complex procedures, these factors caused several authentic traditional dishes to become eliminated. Manchuria Lard Cake is one of them. Being health-conscious and tend to consume low-sugar and low-fat food, the younger generation could not accept its rich and velvety authentic taste, only the older generation FuZhou folks appreciate it. Due to having left their native land or being separated with their beloved family, upon tasting the familiar delicacies, they are filled with nostalgia. 

On the other hand, there are people who stood firmly by traditional food, utilizing ancient wisdom, retaining basic procedures to preserve the authentic taste. They improve from performing the same tasks repeatedly, striving for perfection from the tedious procedures. For instance the kiln roasted pork and charcoal roasted coffee, working with flames and fumes, years of experience is crucial in quality control; soft and smooth tofu is strenuously produced under high temperature and humidity. 

Food and society, the dishes laid on the table are full of flavours, yet indescribable.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Video Editor : Evon Pang
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Music : Calm Wind from AShamaluevMusic – YouTube

COPYRIGHTS 2020 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

“Work until I’m unable to.”

Often uttered by many, this is one of the most common answers. It may sound carefree, yet containing traces of desolation. Our heroes worked hard for the better part of their lives, their lifelong careers integrated with their everyday doings, blurring the lines between. From taking their own initiatives to being under another’s influence, from reluctance to inheritance, each tells their own stories about the vicissitudes of an era, and of transitioning into a new era. Before being phased out, they stayed to their duties steadfastly, working until they no longer could. 

Their spirit and attitude towards life makes it no longer clear whether work is a way to sustain life, or life is just an extension of work. Leaving behind marks in ordinary life, mastering a trade for their entire lives, the warmth and coldness of humanity a testimony to their wisdom. Always keeping in mind the merits of forefathers, without expectations for the younger generations to inherit, they understand that times change. Rather than being dejected, it would be better to say that they have undergone an era trudging in mud. They are passionate about their work and expertise at it, yet discreetly blending in with the surroundings of a simple life. 

“Work until I’m unable to.” A seemingly casual statement, however with far deeper meanings attached. It sustains life by promoting motivation, providing an outlet for yearnings, and affirming capabilities. They chose resilience over “work” and “inability”, regardless of tough times and advancing age. They are happy to be working, whenever they receive commendations, their faces are lit with satisfaction. Although traditional industries may face elimination and become a thing of the past, they remain in the same old place, working with professional familiarity, until the day they no longer could. 

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Music : Documentary

COPYRIGHTS 2020 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

We are born unto the embrace of Mother Nature, accepting her gracious blessings. We thrive upon her benevolence, hydrating the earth, providing us with food; boundless oceans, rich with resources. Meanwhile, a group of people live close with Nature, they form intimate bonds with the earth and the sea. Mother Nature blessed them with harvests and revenue. They plant crops in agricultural lands, gather edible plants in the wilderness, involve in coastal aquaculture, fishing in the deep sea, adhering to natural life patterns. 

They worked tirelessly, pursuing a single career path, sticking to their duties for the better part of their lives, bustling around farms and forests, taking a plunge among tides and oceans. They rely upon Mother Nature to make a living, yet at times grapple with Mother Nature. They are skilled in steering, coping with unpredictable weather and environmental changes. They bend with respect, accepting daily challenges to coexist with Nature. 

Despite exhaustion and setbacks, they do not hesitate to make the best out of it. With environmental virtue and reverence for the ocean, they look upon each harvest as a blessing. They humbly describe themselves as insignificant, often overlooking their great contributions. At times they take risks regardless of their own safety, grasping each opportunity no matter at what expense. They led simple and contented lives, caring tenderly for seeds sown to plant vigorous crops albeit shortchanging themselves.

Mother Nature is the source of all lives and nutrients, in each land and plantation, each valley and forest, each river and ocean, there are farmers and fishermen who toiled ceaselessly to supply us with fruits and vegetables, fish and meat, and food for our tables. They may appear inconspicuous, or drowned in commotion, disregarding their age spots and dark marks, they discreetly compose a story of co-existence with Mother Nature

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Evon Pang
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Daniel Lim
Voice Over : Andrew Kee
Music : Romantic Piano & Strings from AShamaluevMusic – YouTube

COPYRIGHTS 2020 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD