SIQUIJOR: Foodtrip and Pasalubong

Actually, I didn’t know what delicacy this province can offer has to offer until I checked the pasalubong map and a little research. My goal is to taste at least one food delicacy they’re known for. So I ended up eating these treats below:

1. Torta

This pastry has its local name derived from Spanish term for cake. This small but filling little cake is good enough to make you full and energized for a quick breakfast. Made of egg mixed with flour, milk and other ingredients, I survived breakfast and lunch with these take home treats and as locals say, its taste improves over time. I ate the last piece 3 days after and it was still great.

2. Pan Bisaya

The famous bakery in the province is not located within the town center where there are glass displays of baked breads but in a hut of charcoal ovens and long table with few bakers. Their produce are simple but cheese-filled, meat-filled and rolled breads. Best paired with hot chocolate (sikwate) or coffee. Don’t be fooled by its simplicity.

3. Peanut Balls

This small province is also known for locally-farmed products such as peanuts. This pack of sweet nutty balls is a great snack while waiting at the boarding area.

4. Peanut Brittle

This brick version of caramelized peanuts comes handy and perfect for sharing.

5. Sutukil

This viand medley is a common staple in Visayan households, where they prepare their fresh catch in sugba(grilled), tula (soup), and kilawin (ceviche) ways of cooking. This was our lunch when I had my coastal tour with Kuya Ricky. Lami kaayo! (So delicious!)

NEXT: NEGROS ORIENTAL: Walking Tour at Dumaguete City

ILOILO: The Heart of the Philippines

The main reason why I want to go to this province is to visit the UNESCO-listed heritage church in Miag-ao. I feared that if I don't visit sooner, another earthquake in Bohol might level these historic churches and it's too late for me. Then a piso fare from an airline last week of January 2015 brought me to this Western Visayan itinerary.

Iloilo province is the glory of Region VI where it occupies most of the Panay island. Old rich families flourished in its city capital where religious, commercial, and administrative centers are within its vicinity.

On my three-day stay at Panay Island, I visited the Iloilo towns of San Joaquin, Miagao, Janiuay and the premier Iloilo City.

Please click below titles to see my stories.

San Joaquin and Miagao's Heritage Landmarks

The Agricultural Town of Janiuay

Iloilo City: From Old Towns to New Districts

Jaro District's Old Neighbourhood

ILOILO: Foodtrip and Pasalubong

Travel Itinerary, Accommodation and Budget: Eastern Visayas

When I go on solo trips, I make sure that I have enough money to spend with. Like estimates for solo trip: Php1000 or 2days-1night trip: Php2000. This time, for my 4days-3nights solo trip in Eastern Visayas, I brought a measly Php4000 for my pocket money. Beforehand, I booked my airfare (a MUST) and two-night accommodation on different locations as my third night will depend on where I’ll prefer to stay.

I listed my every expense to check how much I spend with food, pasalubong and common expenses. See my itinerary and breakdown below.

DAY 1: Arrival and exploring Tacloban City

DAY 2: Townhopping from Baybay City to Maasin City

DAY 3: Townhopping in Palo, Samar towns and walk in San Juanico

DAY 4: Watching Pintados-Kasadyaan Grand Parade, Pasalubong Shopping and Departure

Airfare/Accomodation/Transportation:  Php3006.04

Food/Pasalubong:                                Php2135.00

TOTAL EXPENSES:                            Php5141.04  

Airfare/Accomodation/Transportation:  Php3006.04

Sixty-percent of my total expenses was allotted to basic expenses. Airfare was booked a year ahead. I made sure that I’ll get a decent accommodation in the city. Hence, I booked aircon and fan rooms from GV Hotel. 

They have branches across Visayas and Mindanao and rooms are affordable as they’re on a promo until December 2016. Visit their site for more details:GV Hotels

 

 

 

Since it was my first time visiting Leyte and Samar islands, I won’t go home without taking some delicacies and eat those. Foodtrip is an inseparable part of my adventure so I allot some budget especially to my targeted ones.

Food/Pasalubong:                                Php2135.00

I found out that I spent exactly Php5141.04 for my 4D3N Eastern Visayas trip. If I would cut my food expenses in half, I can survive with just Php3000 to cover all. Well, it really depends on how you spend it. This will serve as a guide.

It was a great time taking down my expenses to avoid overspending on things that I really don’t need to purchase. I may be impulsive, sometimes, but I do check that at least, I have Php500 before going to airport, in case of terminal fee and emergency expense. What a great lesson indeed! Hoping this post will guide you on your townhopping adventure. Maupay nga biyahe! 

LAGUNA: Food Trip and Pasalubong

This province by the lake is famous for homemade dishes, sweet treats and other crafts known for every city and town of its domain. As I frequently pass by this province, I make sure to visit and try some of their well-known delicacies locals and tourists rave about.

1. Puto Biñan

If Calasiao has bite-sized version, then Biñan has their own pizza-like version of this delicacy. Made mainly of pound rice flour, milk and cheese, this is the well-known product of this city and the best makers are found in Brgy San Vicente, where the PNR station is located.

2. Buko Pie

This pie was invented in Los Baños and famous stalls are located at Brgy. Anos. Buses plying the highway will take stopovers just to buy these freshly-baked goodies. This stall sells one of the best pies I've ever tasted.

3. Yema Cake

A simple cake made from egg yolks and milk smothered over chiffon cake slices, this dessert is a favorite by the locals and this is a staple on every occasion in San Pablo City. Aside from yema cake, they do have equally famous chocolate cake that can be bought at an affordable price.

4. Kinulob na Itik

Victoria town is famous for duck-raising activities, so they produce duck eggs turned mostly to salted eggs as well as duck meat. Famous dish concocted is kinulob, which is a way of cooking duck meat by slow-cooking in an airtight-pot and put in an open flame for hours then deep-fried. The result is a crispy skin but juicier meat without the stench.

5. Bibingkang Alsa

When you ply the Luisiana-Cavinti road, you'll see stalls selling these oven-baked treats and put in cubic pandan baskets. One time, we went to Hulugan falls and the market road of San Salvador have these bibingka vendors, as snacks for day hikers or pasalubong after the long trip. It is different from the usual fluffy variant, as this is quite similar to tupig. Instead of grilled in hot charcoals, it is baked on a makeshift tin oven where the mixture is put in clay pot, lined with banana leaf.

6. Espasol

This sweet treat is usually wrapped in paper cones drenched with generous amounts of rice flour. You can buy these from bus vendors or from roadside pasalubong stores in Laguna. Alaminos, Pagsanjan, Luisiana and Nagcarlan are famous for making these rice puddings. Among these towns, Nagcarlan has a concentration of making the best of these in Barangay Yukos.

7. Uraro

A very light biscuit made from arrowroot flour and dissolves in your mouth. It's like the soft version of puto seko. I can eat a pack of these! Perfect for a hot coffee or tea in the afternoon, or a snack while buying native slippers in Liliw's main street.

8. Ampaw

Ampaw Pinipig is one of the local produce of Biñan where it is used to be served in many varieties. Biñan used to have vast fields producing rice so this snack is one of the delicacies they offer, adapted from Chinese.

9. Pospas

Pospas is a famous comfort food in Biñan similar to lugaw but it is cooked with chicken and innards, served with toasted garlic, spring onions and pork crackling. One might lace it with calamansi juice and patis (fish sauce), depending on individual taste. 

10. Camote de Leche

This is the famous dessert served by Calle Arco Restaurant in Pagsanjan (near the arch).

11. Pancit Maciang

Maciang's is a renowned panciteria in San Pedro Laguna since the early 50s that is known for its unique taste. It is a pancít dish with proven, egg, and ketchup.

12. Pancit Tagapo

A must-try pancit in a barangay at Santa Rosa City, Laguna.

13. Ube Halaya

This delicacy is sold at Brgy. San Marcos, at a stretch of road between San Pablo and Calauan, Laguna.

*Ben's Halo-halo

One of the best halo-halo I've tried! It originated in San Pablo and it uses gelato ice which makes their halo-halo more smooth and flavorful. You can have the original one or spicy variety.

*Tuding's Porkchop

An institution in Laguna, this restaurant started breakfast meals but became famous for their porkchop meals. Tuding's Porkchop House originated in San Antonio, Biñan City. But due to their patrons coming from outside of Laguna, their San Pedro City branch became famous due to proximity in Metro Manila.

Every town has their own specialties. It's great that I try them one product at a time. :)

#RiseHighLaguna

GUIMARAS: Food Trip and Pasalubong

Guimaras was regarded as the Mango Capital of the Philippines as they were globally known for producing sweet mangoes and turning them into sweets and other delicacies. Here are some things I tried and took home:

1. Mango Pizza

I visited Guimaras for mangoes but I haven't bought any because it will be a burden to have a heavy backpack. Instead, I searched for the raved one-of-a-kind pizza in the capital town of Jordan.

The Pitstop Restaurant

Resto's interior

Waiting for my order

  

Voila! Mango Pizza and Fruit Shake

What's in the Mango Pizza? You can see cheese sprinkled on a mango sauce with pizza sauce underneath. When I got a bite, the taste was still pizza-like with sweetness of fresh mangoes. I never thought pizza and mangoes can have a good relationship. I was able to finish half of it and took out the rest back to Iloilo City. Happy tummy!

2. Mango Biscocho

Slabs of toasted bread with hints of sweet mango. The taste of mango was a bit mild, but I managed to finish one packet. :)

3. Mango Drink Concentrate

I used to love Ritchie's Drink Concentrate when I was in my grade school years. Nowadays, powder juices are taking over grocery sections due to their affordable prices. Since I'm in mango-rich province, I bought this concentrate so I'll have my daily dose of mango juice in my fridge. Few tablespoons of concentrate added to a glass of cold water make a refreshing drink. I should have bought another one.

4. Mango Fridge Magnet

A simple reminder that I visited the mango capital. Available at Pasalubong Center near the Provincial Capitol of Guimaras.

Guimaras Trade and Information Center
San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras