Got published at DBP Western Highway Traveler

The first time I got to visit Iloilo and Guimaras Island was way back in 2008. I got enthralled with both places then, and had been itching to set foot again. Two years came by, after so many plans to go back, nothing materialized.

Early this morning I received a package from the publisher. The copies I have been eager to get hold of. Three glossy magazines the size of a notebook. I immediately skimmed to where my photos at, reminiscing the places I've been to as I flipped page after page.

I got to taste local cuisine, visit churches and cemeteries, got access to private museums, the usual tourist traps like malls, parks and beaches, met new friends, etc. In short, I had a blast!

Thanks to Bernie Arellano for showing me around.

  

  

Estero at Binondo

The busy streets of Binondo is such a delight. The sights and sounds are by far the most enticing to the senses. Every corner has a surprise for anyone who's willing that sometimes it is not for the faint of heart.

Food is one thing that's always in my priority list when visiting a place, and for Binondo, it's my never-ending love affair with the ever-so-yummy hopia from Eng Bee Tin. Without much forethought I decided to end my relationship with the bean filled pastry just this one time. I let myself drool at the smorgasbord display of all flavors of hopia as I walked past the store along Ongpin street. I never looked back.

A friend who acted as tour guide is no stranger to Binondo. In fact he almost is a resident to the place, knowing every corner to turn to and every place to be in.

He took us to a string of eateries on the side of a small river. Estero, as it is called, was one place I never imagined going. We all know how polluted Manila's rivers are, I am amazed that eateries here thrive and remains a hit amongst the locals.

Think any Chinese dish and they'll cook it for you carenderia style. Spicy frog legs was on everyones minds. We had it fried in batter.

I felt like I was Anthony Bourdain that day. Consuming exotic and daring ethnic dishes. An unmatched experience that I'm looking forward to do more.

No reservations!

A-One tinola ug sinugba

Eating with hands has always been synonymous to the Filipino. Who needs cutlery anyway when grilled food is best eaten with hands? Finger-lickin' good as what KFC slogan says, seafood from the tropical Philippine waters should be enjoyed warm, with a dipping sauce made of vinegar and soy sauce mixture. Sprinkled with a generous amount of chopped onions and red hot chili for that added zest.

Tucked in one small spot across SM Cebu is one of Cebu's best kept secret. A-One Tinola ug Sinugba offers the simplest dishes from sea. Tinola (a fish broth) or sinugba (grilled seafood or pork) might just be a few of the options here but it's what keeps everyone coming.

Panga in its most delectable state. At Php250, it's good enough for three people to enjoy. A bowl or two of hot broth is free.

As always, the aftermath washed down with ice-cold soda. Burp burp.

Ushering in Year 2009

Five hours more and still everyone's tied up to the usual preparations for the New Year. This highly anticipated holiday in the Philippines is celebrated mainly with food, to symbolize abundance in the coming year. People are very busy now doing rounds around the kitchen to stock the table with anything that mimicks the shape of money. There's the usual 12 round fruits, each representing a month in a year and the ever-present pancit or any noodle dish to bring in luck of a longer life.

Late afternoon today when I also did my rounds in Carcar's market, I could say that the rains couldn't stop the swarm of people doing last minute shopping along the narrow alleys. Turned muddy by the unusual weather the past few days. Of course don't forget the fact that Filipinos are very fond of doing things at the last minute so every corner, anywhere you turn you'll see people buying bread, fruits and everything they need because you are not supposed to spend on the first day of the year. Superstition dictates that if you spend nothing you'll have plenty of money to spend the rest of the year.

The Filipinos penchant for grand celebrations, not only limited to the New Year celebrations, are influences from the Chinese. And before all fireworks (another great Chinese invention) are lit up later tonight let's think how we can make 2009 a better year for us.

Happy New Year all!

Cebu Heritage Advocates Night

For the first time, heritage advocacy groups of Cebu came in full force for a night of great food, music and simply the love for heritage. The Cathedral Museum of Cebu and the Yap-Sandiego House were the perfect venues for the casual affair. Though some came garbed in their best Filipiniana, the rest were in their most comfortable wear but nevertheless, the moonlit Sunday night turned out to be one of the most memorable for us this year as another milestone came into fruition.

A Federation of Cebu Heritage Advocates will soon be created from the groups that came last night. Taytayan, the Carcar Heritage Conservation Society, SkyScrapercity.com-Cebu, Hambin, the Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Cofradia de San Juan Bautista & the Casa Gorordo Museum will each have their representation in the said federation.

Good luck to all of us!

Food tripping Iloilo: La Paz Batchoy, Molo Bibingka & Talaba

Deco's Batchoy. Satisfying comfort food. Match this with prewar pandesal and Coke Zero for a complete meal. 55 pesos for the supersize of steaming broth on noodle and topped with chopped meat and entrails, chicharon, toasted garlic and spring onions.

Unlike the usual bibinka that we are used to. Thin and young coconut strips make it soft in the inside. Sold warm within the Molo church grounds at 20 pesos a pack.

I thought I'd never eat talaba again but this one made my mouth salivate. Dipped in hot water to open the shells. Order hot rice and spicy calamansi-soy mixture and you're good to go. Safe and clean but most of all so cheap at 30 pesos per bowl.