I've only had a few Muslim friends in my life and one of them is a colleague at the office. Because of her, I've become more conscious of Muslim practices and restrictions especially when it comes to food. One example was during the recently-concluded Ramadan, when we would be careful not to eat in her presence and made sure to ask her (after 6 pm) if she had eaten.

So finally, Eid Al Fitr came. No work, a holiday. Great!

That day, a Wednesday, my badminton group invited me to a dual meet: a group from Mindanao was coming over to our home court that day. They told me it was potluck and to please tell them in advance what I was bringing. I thought wow; maybe they’re here celebrating Eid Al Fitr and squeezed in playing badminton in the evening. What was easy to prepare at such a short notice that would be enough for a good number of people? Pansit.

I carefully told my mother that there would be Muslim friends joining our group that night. She decided to cook pansit with chicken. No pork. My mother boiled the chicken, deboned it carefully and cooked the pansit. It was very good.

The place was full when I arrived— all the courts were being used for that night. A girl from our group said hi to me and I took the chance to comment that it was amazing that we had friends from Mindanao joining that night. She said, yes, it’s something that has been practiced for several years already. The girl told me that they themselves go to Mindanao as well. “Dumadayo kami,” she said. I was totally impressed, almost in disbelief. I asked “Kahit ganon kalayo?”

She said, yes, yes. “Sa Mindanao corner Congressional.”

!@%$. I nodded at her and sat down to put on my badminton shoes. Secretly I called my house and in a very small voice told my mother: “Mama, wala ni isang Muslim dito.”