"Tahoooooô!"

TAHO is a Philippine snack food made of fresh soft/silken tofu, arnibal and pearl sago. It is a street food sold by ambulant vendors.

In Baguio, there is also a strawberry variety of taho, wherein strawberry syrup is used instead of arnibal. Other varieties are in chocolate and buko pandan flavor.

Most magtataho carry plastic cups for their product, often in two sizes (though vendors in residential communities tend to use their customers' cups and price their product accordingly). Using a wide, shallow metal sandok or scoop, they skim the surface of the bean curd and toss out any excess water, subsequently scooping the bean curd itself into a cup. Then, using a long, thin metal ladle, they scoop sago or tapioca "pearls" and arnibal into the cup, loosely mixing it in.

Tahô is enjoyed either with a spoon, sipping it with a straw, or by simply slurping it straight from the cup. Though traditionally served warm, cold varieties exist in supermarkets and in food stalls in cafeterias which have the bean curd in a solid, unbroken state. These pre-packed cups tend to contain a firmer tofu which need to be broken up and is sold either with a plastic spoon or a wooden popsicle stick.

 

reference: wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

THE FAMOUS LECHON BABOY...

What comes out on your mind when you hear the word "lechon?"

For me, a big roasted pig with a red apple on its mouth that is place on the center of the dining table...(yum yum)

LECHON is very famous during fiesta and in other different occasions such as birthdays,weddings etc. It is commonly placed at the center of the table. La Loma in Quezon City is known to be the "Lechon Capital of the Philippines." Actually there is this "Parada ng Lechon" in Balayan, Batangas. They do this tradition for the commemoration for their patron saint, St. John the Baptist. 

It's one of the most irresistible food in the country. It is mouth-watering to be exact!

(it is my intention not to place the picture of this delicacy because very time I see lechon, I'm starving:D )

 

WHAT's THE TASTE???

TAMILOK or WOODWORM:
ONE OF PALAWAN's DELICACY...


(yah woodworm... literary, worm in wood...)

(raw woodworm. clarkriveratravels.tumblr.com)

I'm very curious with its taste... Well, its not my first time to hear this tamilok. I saw it many times on tv, on magazine and even in Clark Rivera's photo. Others would say it is more delicious than talaba(oyster)...(wondering) 

HAVE YOU EATEN BALUT???

BALUT...


A certain show(I forgot it already:) )said that," kung Filipino ka, dapat nakakain ka na ng balut."


Well, I should say, Filipino talaga ako..haha. Pero yung yellow lang kinakain ko:D (I just can't imagine that while eating balut, I could feel the feathers on my tongue...lol)

You would haven't find a hard time in searching for this delicacy. It is almost sold everywhere(from 5pm onwards I guess...).

(he was not actually a vendor of balut :D. He's my friend...)

What is BALUT?

Balut is actually a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell(wikipedia).

(wikipedia.org)

Others would say it is one of the most terrifying food but well, for me, its not that bad... Actually there is already a balut-flavored ice cream.. haha...

-I almost forgot, this is one of the most favorite "pulutan" of beer drinkers." 

HUNDRED ISLANDS...

The Hundred Islands National Park collectively comprises these 123 limestone islands most of which are clad in lush vegetation, secret coves, strips of white sandy beaches and sand bars as well as giant clams snorkeling areas amidst largely tranquil waters with gorgeous views of the South China Sea – another 123 reasons to discover the Philippines.

Just off the coast of Alaminos City, Pangasinan (4-6 Hours North of Manila) are these 123 (124 during low tide) mushroom-shaped limestone and coral islands that compose the wonderful Hundred Islands National Park. Along with the Chocolate Hills of Bohol and Taal Volcano of Batangas- the Hundred Islands National Park also known as Kapulo-puluan or Taytay-Bakes, is considered as one of the National Geological Monuments of the Philippines.

Out of the many islands, only three were developed for tourism – the most well developed is Quezon Island (which is actually composed of three islets) which includes 2 dining pavilions, a grilling area, restrooms, nipa huts, a small white sandbar, and a giant clam garden. Quezon Island was named after the former Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon, whose statue we saw on one of the islets.) Quezon Island is probably one of the most visited in the National Park. You should also be able to rent kayaks as well on Quezon Island – snacks are available as well though as expected, a bit overpriced – though people are not pushy.

(reference: http://tourism-philippines.com/hundred-islands-national-park/)

 (photos by: Blesilda M. Sison )

SUMMER CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES...

BAGUIO is hailed as the summer capital of the Philippines and known as one of the industrialized cities in the Northern part of the Philippines.


Many people visit this city every summer because of its cold weather and attractive tourist spots. Based on the history of the city, it is the Americans, which recognized Baguio as one of the Philippine cities on June 1, 1903 at Kafagway.


For travelers who want to have a look at some tourist spots in city, they can also visit the vacation house of every Philippine president in Baguio. It is also exciting and luring to have a tour at some of the strawberry farms of the city. In addition, the city is also renowned for its top universities and colleges such as University of the Philippines Baguio, University of Baguio and Saint Louis University. Above all, Baguio is popular for Philippine Military Academy that is based on one of its barangays.

Many foreigners visit the place during February because it is the month in which the famous and luring Panagbenga Festival or Flower Festival is held. For those who want to visit the city during these times, they are advised to book in hotels in Baguio in advance. With the help of the Internet, players can visit Web sites that are created for travelers who want to have a background on the alluring tourist destinations in the city. The sites also have instant access to the places where travelers can stay when they visit Baguio. With these tools, tourists will surely enjoy their visit to the attractive city of the Philippines, the Baguio City.

(reference: http://www.baguioboard.com/)

(photos by: Josephine B. Pudunan)

BOLINAO'S ENCHANTED CAVE...

Why is it called "enchanted"...?


reference: http://www.google.com.ph/search?hl=tl&q=bolinao's+enchanted+cave&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=220l220l1l3323l1l1l0l0l0l0l248l248l2-1l1l0&biw=1024&bih=634&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

CORREGIDOR...

Corregidor is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese forces during World War II.

Also known as "the Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan. Corregidor became the headquarters of the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government. It was from Corregidor that Philippine President Manuel Quezon and General MacArthur left for Australia in February 1942, leaving behind Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright in command.

Today, Corregidor's rich history continues to draw Filipinos and foreign tourists alike, making the island one of the most visited tourist spots in the country. For first-time Filipino visitors, Corregidor reacquaints them with the past and helps them discover their national identity.

Malinta Tunnel - Completed in 1922, Malinta Tunnel was formerly an arsenal and underground hospital. Located under the Malinta hill, it served as bomb-proof headquarters for Fil-American troops during World War II.

Lighthouse - Originally built by the Spaniards on 1836 and one of Corregidor's oldest landmarks, the Lighthouse offers a great view of Manila Bay, the South China Sea, and the rest of the island. It is located at Topside and is 628 feet above sea level.

President Manuel L. Quezon Park - A statue of President Quezon stands at the north entrance of the Malinta Tunnel's 1,000-bed hospital where he was inaugurated as the President of the Commonwealth for a second term at the height of the Japanese attack in Corregidor.

General Douglas MacArthur Park - A statue of the General stands at the Lorcha Dock ruins at Bottomside where he boarded a boat to Mindanao on March 11, 1942. He then sailed to Australia where he sent his famous message: "I shall return."

(photos by: LIEZEL P. MEDRANO)

VIGAN CITY

About 400 kilometers from Manila is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vigan. It is the capital city of Ilocos Sur located on the west coast of northern Luzon. One can see precious remnants of old Spanish architecture throughout the center of the city. Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia with a unique European atmosphere. Several museums exist for the many national heroes that were born here. Vigan is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the Philippines. The name Vigan was derived from "Biga", a giant taro plant that grows abundantly along the banks of the Mestizo River.

(photos by: LIEZEL P. MEDRANO)

A mention of Ilocos and images of Paoay, Marcos, Pagudpud are conjured. But don’t forget the food: bagnet, pinakbet, papaitan and those fit for pasalubong (gifts that one brings to friends and family when one comes back home) like chichacorn, longganisa (native sausages), bibingka (rice cakes) and other sweets.

Ever since I’ve tasted this Laoag longganisa, I have always made it a point to eat one or two whenever I’m in Laoag. It was love at first bite! What with the spicy and garlicky flavor that is so unlike those I have eaten in most parts of the country that is somewhat sweet. Here, one can get it at the market (as posted in the photo above which was taken in the stall at the third floor of the public market) or at streetside eateries being cooked over hot coals. The saltiness is just alright and with less fat compared to the rest. As for the Vigan longganisa, I first tasted it in Sagada, Mt. Province but when I’ll come back to Vigan sometime next month, I will definitely try it again.

Empanada is, like the longganisa is obiquitous in most foodstalls around the city of Laoag and Vigan. These two cities, while they have the same shape and color (that from Vigan is paler compared to Laoag), its the stuffing inside that differs:

- Laoag empanada have for its filling mung beans, longganisa Laoag and egg
-Vigan empanada have for its filling cabbage, longganisa Vigan and egg

Of the two, I find those from the former to be filling and somewhat heavy but both are tasty. A visit to these two cities is never complete without partaking in this delectable streetfood.

 
Royal bibingka of Vigan is somewhat different from the usual rice cakes that I have tasted in Manila (like in Cafe Via Mare), Laguna (near the Southwoods exit , and anywhere else in the country including my home province in Cebu. Its texture is akin to a cassava cake. Compared to the one I’ve tasted near the Southwoods exit along SLEX in Laguna, I prefer the latter.

Chichacorn, chicharon (pork rind that is fried to a crisp) conjoined with corn to denote, what else, crispy fried corn kernels in different flavors. My officemates very much like these in different flavors: barbecue, cheese, plain salted and garlic. Its a popular pulutan (bar chow) or just as a pica-pica food.

When I get back to Vigan, I would want to taste their: okoy(shrimps in batter fried to a crisp, special tupik (a sticky rice, sugar concoction) that is placed inside bamboo tubes just like the dudul or durol of Sulu, kalamay (sticky rice and sugar with, I guess, coconut milk) and other Ilocano delicacies.

(reference: 

http://estanli.net/blog/2005/10/30/ilocos-sojourn-delicacies-and-pasalubongs/

:)