Pasalubong Options 6: Cagayan De Oro and Tuguegarao

For today's edition of noteworthy products from country's different provinces, I'm featuring a city from Mindanao down south and an area in the northern tip of Luzon.

1. Cagayan de Oro City 

Frequent visitors to Cagayan de Otro and the nearby island province of Camiguin are familiar with  Vjandep Pastel, a coffee bun with custard filling. This version incorporates malunggay / moringa in the dough. 

I've been to Cagayan de Oro countless times, but it was only recently that I tried their Baked Siopao. I was expecting it to still retain its character as a steamed bun, but this is what you get when you have the dough baked.  

2. Tuguegarao and Cagayan

The Buco Roll of Tuguegarao's K's Bakeshop's and Delicacies is a winner. The dough was soft and it had real coconut filling. Not too sweet--just right.

I always look forward to devouring a pack of Alcala Milk Candy, made from  carabao's milk.

Speaking of carabao, have you tried carabao chicharon? Don't knock this. It's quite addicting. It comes in a variety of flavors. The Onion and Vinegar variant has the unmistakable tang of vinegar. 

Pasalubong Options 5: Bulacan and Dipolog

For this edition of food gifts from different provinces, I'm featuring a province north of Manila and a northern city on the southern island of Mindanao. 

1. Bulacan

I love peanut butter, so this is a no-brainer for me. I love the packaging--I thought at first that Bhern's Creamy Peanut Butter was an imported brand. I'm happy someone made an effort to make their product presentable. This is gooey, spreadable peanut butter, and like many local peanut butters, it is quite oily.

Bulacan is also known for chicharon, and Boy Iwa's Chicharon is quite good.

2. Dipolog

I already featured bottled fish from Dipolog. Here are two more from the historic city. Many swear by Nam Namm Spanish Sardines, pictured below, saying it is the better brand.

Pasalubong Options 4: Bulacan, Negros Occidental, Cebu

Today's edition of pasalubong options are either travel souvenirs (the lechon) or gifts from fellow travelers. 

1. Bulacan's Dolores Special Pork Chicharon

If you want your chicharon (fried pork rinds) with bite, this one's for you. It has just the right saltiness, with a slight spicy aftertaste.

2. Negros Occidental's Er's Special Peanuts 

These salty, non-greasy, garlicky peanuts are addicting.

3. Cebu's Ayer Lechon 

Bought this from the Cebu airport. Some say this is better than Zubochon lechon. as Cebu lechons go, this one is very tasty--you can eat it without the usual liver-based sauce. Another plus is the thin layer of fat.

Bora Dispatches Day 3: Ending on a High Note

This is my third travel post on my recent holiday trip to Boracay. For the earlier installments, go here and here. For my resto review, go here. 

Bora, Day 3: Unlike yesterday, this time I woke up earlier, 6 am to be exact. From the hotel, I jogged towards Station 1. I was having the runs so I had to cut my jogging short. Just as I passed the Marian grotto, my stomach acted up.

Bora in the morning is a sight to behold, and well worth the effort to wake up early for a jog, although to be truthful, I had to stop now and then to take a picture of the scenery and the places where I ate. I dropped by at Jonah's to check if they have the elusive avocado shake. They told me to return by 9 am. 

My tummy calmed a bit, so I proceeded to the 24-hour Smoke Restaurant located at D'Mall. I ordered their bestselling pork kaopad. The resto is quite difficult to find, since it is along a narrow alley behind Andoks.

I then proceeded to nearby Lemoni Cafe for something sweet. I've been here before in my first solo leisure travel. I love the refreshing interiors done in citrusy yellows and greens. I wanted to try either the lemon muffin or cheesecake, but these were not available, so I settled for Mango Madness instead. It was quite good. I highly recommend it.

before arriving at bora i was expecting it to be crawling with the holiday crowd,
but traffic was light 

I proceeded back to my hotel because I felt my stomach was acting up again. I rested for an hour, and then checked out at 11 am. I don't think I'll be coming back at La Carmela Hotel, unless I'm penny-pinching. Yesterday i woke up to the chatter of the staff, the people manning the front desk, except for a few, were not attentive enough, and I can't access my mobile data plan inside my room.

I wanted to eat at Truefood Indian Cuisine for lunch before proceeding to my next hotel but it was still closed. While walking, I didn't notice that my phone falling out until I was approached by some good Samaritans, boatmen who offer rides to tourists, with my phone in tow. This was the second time this happened to me--leaving my phone and someone returning it to me--and  I was feeling blessed, despite yesterday's letdown.  Perhaps not all is lost to creeping commercialism. 

For lunch I went to Epic. The meal was not remarkable but their happy hour is--it starts at 12 noon. After having my fill of margaritas, I proceeded to The Tides Hotel, a little woozy from the drinks. During check-in I arranged an airport transfer to Kalibo, and at P750 it was a good deal.

this greeted me while i was lying on bed

unfortunately, i had no secrets to hide

I love the clean, modern lines of the Tides. Three years ago they gave me a red room. Now my room is in black and white. If yesterday I felt laid-back now I can say I can say I wanted to stay in, which I did. Around 4:30 pm I stirred. At this time Bora has come alive--it is teeming with people. I proceeded to Jonah's, but still there was no avocado shake.

From Jonah's I proceeded to Discovery Shores, where I tried the crab fat noodles. It was a nice touch that they gave me some chocnut while waiting for my order. Their mojito is excellent, and I was just in time for the happy hour, which is from 5 pm to 10 pm. I hope next time I'll be staying at the hotel. Order the classic lime mojito--the watermelon was not as good.

At quarter to 7pm I went to Truefood Indian Cuisine and ordered an excellent lamb dish with naan bread.  This was an fitting end to my Bora resto run. Tip: as in elsewhere, the priciest restos do not guarantee good food. 

I then went back to the Tides for my complimentary drink at their rooftop bar Solstice. With margaritas on hand I checked my Facebook wall and worked on my blogs. I was the first one to arrive, but pretty soon the crowd trickled in. Around midnight I felt queasy from all the drinks I had all day, and so I called it a night.

The next day I woke up at 5:30 am, had an early breakfast, and checked out at 6:40 am. I was the lone passenger in the 7 am hotel van. The driver assisted me up to the raft going to Caticlan. At 8:05 am I boarded a minibus bound for Kalibo airport.

And that was how my holiday Bora trip went. I'm happy I was able to go to most restos in my list, and many of the meals I sampled were good. There's no stopping commercialism, but some people can surprise you with their generosity and good spirit. Well, until the next trip.

Credits: For some of my leads, I'm grateful for these two bloggers: onewayticket and philippinebeaches. Aside from sources online, my friends clue me in on places to eat, going out of their way to point where the good stuff are.

Pasalubong Options 3: Iloilo City, Cebu, and Cagayan

If you happen to travel to Iloilo City, Cebu, or Cagayan, or if you know someone coming from these areas, here are pasalubong options from the said places.

1. Margec's Cream Horn from Iloilo City

This is one memorable pastry. I first tasted this in Davao from someone who brought this all the way from Iloilo City. If you love custard, this is for you. This is similar to Camiguin's Vjandep Pastel, but the filling is more subtle, but addicting nonetheless.

2. Danggit from Cebu

Leyte might be gaining a reputation for this dried fish variety, but the original danggit from Cebu is still the main standard. Just make sure you buy the special danggit, for these are the ones that are less salty.

3. Cagayan Peanut Candy

For fans of Chocnut, this ones for you. Nutty, milky, and creamy.

What I Did in Davao Last Year

Before I give the last part of my Bora diaries, here's a breather. This is my 2013 post on Davao--you can see my earlier posts here and here. Here are the highlights of my trips down under.

1. Hotels. I went to an old favorite, and I got the opportunity to try a new one. 

I paid my own way for the Marco Polo Hotel Davao leg. This was my base when I went there solo. 

photo credit: Joseph Cruz

I love the cabanas. I can stay in the whole day if I want to.

I was happy with the susyal hotel room swag.

Later that year I hanged out by the pool. Lovely. For what we ate, go here. 

My early 2013 Davao trip allowed me access to the penthouse, where I enjoyed afternoon tea, with a view. 

At one work-related function, we contracted Park Inn Hotel. It was sleek and modern, but with vibrant colors, it didn't appear aloof. 

Park Inn is part of the SM Group, meaning shopping is just a hop away.

We had durian cheesecake for dessert! I give Park Inn high marks for their food. They do good steak.

2. Restaurants

Travel tip: read the resto recommendations in your planes' in-flight magazine. This was how I discovered Belito's Vineyard, which is tucked away in a residential compound. For my menu recommendations, go here.

The resto was quiet when I went there Sunday. There was only a couple there, aside from me, having early lunch. I found the menu printed on a chalkboard, and the antique ceiling fan, charming.

I already wrote about D' Farmers Market in my earlier post.

In our last visit we tried the D101 durian variant. It tastes like avocado: subtle, delicate, with a slight bite

3. Purchases 

I'm a creature of habit, as you might have noticed in my early posts on Davao. If you happen to be in Aldevinco, I recommend you make a beeline for Coralyn's for good buys. 

This is where I bought my snazzy table-cloth.

I also dropped by American Surplus for pre-loved items: 

A trip to Davao is not complete without scoring mangosteen and pomelo. 

I could finish a tray of mangosteen all by myself.

Despite a week in storage, these pomelos remained juicy.

For those who can't stand fresh durian, Lola Abon's durian ice cream is a good bet. You can also smuggle it into the hotels without raising an alarm. 

That's it for now. I'll post more this year.