Since I am a Filipino and been living here in Philippines I can safely say that I know my traditional food and its history as well.
Speaking of uniqueness, sadly to say, Filipino cuisine is a derivation from many foreign cuisine. It has developed from the original Malay roots to Spanish dishes and also has the influence from Chinese, Indian, Arab, Korean, Japanese cuisine and American dishes. Although most of the Philippine cuisine have foreign influence, but there are still Philippine cuisine that may call original. The indigenous Moro and Lumad of Mindanao that never been persuaded by the Hispanic culture are still cooking the original spicy Malay cuisine like the Ginataang Manok (chicken cooked in coconut milk).