#OneNETnewsInvestigates: Tropical Cyclone 'Bebinca' allegedly plagiarized Filipino rice cake name of 'Bibingka', where bakers triggering to sue State Weather Bureau in the Philippines [EXCLUSIVE]
Originally published on September 21st, 2024 due to Technical Issues.
SANTA ANA, CAGAYAN VALLEY -- Tropical Cyclone 'Bebinca', known locally as 'Ferdie' had been recently stirred controversy beyond its weather impact in an unforeseen rainy event. Filipino bakers are enraged over the alleged plagiarism of the international name 'Bebinca', which ironically, the cyclone draws its name after the Filipino rice cake 'Bibingka'. We dig into the utterly ridiculous beginnings of the cyclone and the rice cake, considering what this naming issue might lead to this controversy, as our undercover first warning weather investigation team at OneNETnews reveals something shocked so you don't really have to.
It was previously formed on Monday (September 9, 2024) and dissipated within a week later on Wednesday (September 18th), this said year. It reached peak intensity with winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) and caused significant damage in Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Philippines, Ryukyu Islands in Japan and Eastern China. The cyclone was named 'Bebinca' by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) before entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and being renamed 'Ferdie' by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA).
'Bibingka' is one of the traditional Filipino rice cakes which is made from glutinous rice, coconut milk and other ingredients, such as butter, cheese and salted duck eggs. It is usually cooked in a clay oven lined with banana leaves that give it that smoky flavor. The name 'Bibingka' is derived from the Malay word 'bingka'. Bibingka is often related to Christmas season in the country.
The naming of TC 'Bebinca' literally unleashed a furious backlash among Filipino bakers. They see the situation as an unjust appropriation of their traditional dessert 'Bibingka' and are outraged over the naming. Some are calling for a nationwide boycott of the state weather bureau and will also file cases against the latter, saying that the actions of the bureau have been culturally insensitive to the native land.
A family baker, who is being involved in making 'Bibingka' for decades, and wants to keep their identity private and stated via text message (SMS): "It's more than just a name; it's about valuing our culture and heritage. We take great pride in our traditional foods, and it's really disappointing to see them used without proper credit". OneNETnews has learned exclusively that the state weather bureau 'PAG-ASA' refuse to release a public statement regarding this kind of accusation, but sources within the agency suggest that the naming of tropical cyclones is a complex process involving worst international collaboration and historical naming conventions.
Despite this, the story behind TC 'Bebinca' continues to make national headlines, it's a shockerous attention to the cultural consciousness and awareness of this traditional rice cake cuisine. It is more likely, the Filipino bakers may go out of business for the affected areas in the country -- when the plagiarized tropical cyclone name is in effect.
Whether the storm, actually brings about any changes remains in sight, but the controversy has yet to be sparked up, certainly open a dialogue on the intersection between Filipino culture and meteorology.
PHOTO COURTESY for REPRESENTATION: PAG-ASA & Jessica Emily Marx via Google Images and The New York Times
BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Tegna
SOURCE:
*https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/weather/920394/bebinca-enters-par-now-called-ferdie/story/
*https://apnews.com/article/china-typhoon-bebinca-shanghai-74e8af786c5cf9bac56542df81af5ac4
*https://www.slurrp.com/article/bibingka-unwrapped-tracing-the-origins-of-a-filipino-rice-cake-1711789210876
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibingka
and
*https://www.tasteatlas.com/bibingka
-- OneNETnews Online Publication Team