Lambunao: Land of Waterfalls by Maylyn Santos (5)

Waterfalls in Lambunao

It was late summer when we were invited by my aunt's friend to have a vacation in Lambunao, Iloillo. My aunt's friend said that in Lambunao there are a lot of waterfalls in there place. She said that there are 24 waterfalls in her hometown. Since we haven't gone to a place like that and haven't experienced swimming in a waterfalls. We decided to go to Lambunao and explore the waterfalls in there.

During our stay in my aunt's friend she had told us the names of this 24 magnificent waterfalls. The waterfalls are Mahangin, Gi-ub, Igbulawan,Tabulwang, Takbangan, Baragsakan Inas, Maasin, Mahagnop, Malinaw, Malumot, Naipit, Olaw, Tabogon, Nalisong, Nasor-ohon, Balagnan, Dalhayan, Daragsa-an and Tayokan. She showed us the pictures of those waterfalls and i was excited to go to all of those waterfalls. But we weren't able to go to all of the waterfalls since we lacked in time.

Tita Teresa, my aunt's friend, said that in Lambunao there's not only waterfalls in their places but also virgin forests, rare fauna (animals) and flora (plants). She said that because of their Municipal Mayor Ret. Gen. Reynor Gonzales is responsible for taking care of their eco-tourism. That night she said to us that we will visit her favorite places in Lambunao.

Next morning, we had visited our first destination which is Maasin falls that is near to their place. Maasin falls is so deep that I have to be very careful so I had to stick with the adults so I won't get drown. But it was a great experience for me. In less than two weeks we had visited six waterfalls, one park and one mountain which is Maasin, Mahangin, Balagnan, Dalhayan, Daragsa-an, Gi-ub, Mariit Conservation Park, and lastly Mt. Igpulakan. 

It was a fun experience for me since I had visited a lot of place for less than a month. It was very tiring and fun for me. If you want to visit a place that has a lot of waterfalls, beautiful sceneries and rare birds. Then you should visit Lambunao and explore the beauty of their place. Next Summer, i'm determined to explore all the waterfalls in their place. 

Dried Fish By: Rudolf Michael M. Lipana

Dried fish is known as "Pagkaing Masa" which means it is considered as food for the common people. Why it's called "Pagkaing Masa"? Simply because it was made by Filipinos and reflects that Filipino are resourceful. From the unsold fresh fishes in the market, Filipinos decided to make another product. They used it in dried fish production. There are different kinds of dried fish in the Philippines. It can be Daing, Danggit, Tuyo, and Tinapa and even smoked fish/ Stock fish.

Dried fish is derived from Tagalog word "tuyo" which means dry. Tuyo is the most popular dried fish in Philippines. It is totally salty yet a perfect match for champorado; Filipino cereal meal. Daing is also one of the Filipinos' favorite. It has a split form. Milkfish is usually used for daing. Smoked fish is the Filipino common term for Stock fish. Cod is the most common fish used for Smoked fish.

Iloilo is one of the dried fish suppliers in the country because of the oceanic nature that produce plenty fishes. Ilonggos are good in preserving fishes. Here are some procedures in preserving fishes. For Tuyo, put salt on the fishes and dry it under the sun. Summer season is the best time for drying the fishes. Tuyo need enough time to dry and preserve the fishes that can be stored for months. For Daing, split the fishes and marinate it with vinegar, salt and pepper. And for Smoked fish/Stock fish, salt is no longer needed. Dry the fish with the smoke on wooden racks. Enough time is also needed in drying the Smoked fish/Stock fish.

Different dried fish is available in any Public markets nationwide. But, Iloilo Public Market offers the best quality of a dried fish because they spent ample time in drying and preserving the fishes. They also considered dried fish as one of their delicacies and pride. You can also buy at the leading supermarkets near you but better to look for Ilonggos' dried fish for best quality and best taste.

Honestly, I don't really eat dried fish. But, my parents love it. They usually serve it during our breakfast. Daing is my dad's favorite while my mom is Tuyo. My dad says that the best match of Daing is fried rice while mom says that champorado is the perfect match for Tuyo. Personally, looking at them eating that food tempted me to eat that too, but, I can't because of its smell. For me, it smells bad, but, for my parents, the smell adds to their appetite. And it made me realize that maybe these food taste great.

Pickled Seaweeds by Mae Lyn Talagon

 Pickled Seaweeds in Guimaras

It's been a couple of years since the tragic happened at my province because of the oil banker that sank off the water in Guimaras. It spills more than a million litter in the ocean. That caused of people's poverty and the loss of the richness of ocean. After the oil was cleaned up,  The government found a way on how to help the residence's economic problem. TESDA helped people on how to plant mangroves and seaweeds.

Nowadays,guimaras has  abundant seaweed farms, And well known as the island of seaweeds, Because of the healthy seaweeds that we harvesting.In fact, my mother was making a pickled  seaweed and stored it whenever who would like to eat. She send some with relatives in Manila. However, my father honestly told me that we can'not stay with a good harvest because of the bad weather and thyphoons destroying the farm with huge wave it brought.

Pickles is a preservative dish and you can stock it even a long period of time. You can also make it a side dish on your great menu's if you have restaurant or any occasions if you want your food look more elegant. I did try to ate pickled seaweed in some restaurant here in manila but my question is where we can find the fresh seaweed pickles? Because in Guimaras we had the most fresh seaweed. And you can make your own pickled seaweed version right on the spot.

Well, pickles is also a great pasalubong for your friends and families trappist monastry have food souvenirs such as dried mangoes, mango otap, mango jam,etc. but why not try  to bring something different? Seaweed pickles was really yummy because it is crunchy and well preserved seaweed.I did try to make a sea weed kinilaw (raw sea weed) whenever i was in the island, I use green mango, Coconut milk and add a little bit spicy on it. That dish made my day! And extend my stay in the island.

Well if you're in iloilo you must try pickled sea weed and bring the freshly taste of the dish, Or try to harvest sea weeds in the sea weed farms of some locals, Try to approach them for some awesome experience, For sure they would be glad to assist you. And buying our product most specially the pickled seaweed souvenirs your helping local residences in Guimaras develop our economic problem as well as improving the province amenities.

Bibingka from Mohon By: Michael M. Lipana

Bibingka is very familiar food to all Filipinos. It is a native rice cake in Philippines and traditionally present during Christmas holiday season. Filipinos usually sell bibingka and other delicacies near the churches during "simbang gabi". Filipinos believe that bibingka is a symbol of unity and closeness of each member of the Filipino family that's why they usually serve bibingka during Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Bibingka is made with rice flour, coconut milk and sugar. For more delicious and special bibingka, they added other ingredients like orange flavored soft drinks and topped with peanut and grated buko. The traditional way of preparing bibingka is time consuming yet worth it. Here are the processes, 1st, mix the ingredients. 2nd, line with a single large section of a banana leaf the terra cotta container. 3rd, pour the mixed ingredients into it but make sure not to spill the ingredients in the container itself. 4th, cover the terra cotta container with banana leaf and iron sheet with more preheated coals. Patience is needed in making bibingka until it's ready for serving.

After the long process of making bibingka, the product is now ready. Let me share you the appearance and texture of it. Bibingka is usually round shape and it is soft. It is similar to other native rice cake but it differs from the ingredients and its process. The banana leaf is the unique component in making bibingka because it adds an extra flavor to the bibingka.

Every Christmas season, I and my mom were used to attend "simbang gabi" in the church near in our house. And as we always do, we go home with bibingka or other native food. As we arrived at home, we usually eat it with its perfect match; coffee or hot chocolate. It’s better to eat bibingka while it's still hot or warm. I've already tasted bibingka from other part of our country but bibingka from Mohon is what I've really like.

Mohon's bibingka is very different from other bibingka in other provinces in Philippines. It may differ from the ingredients and from the process. Mohon's bibingka has the right amount of sweetness and has the right softness in texture. Mohon's bibingka tastes good and it's unique because it's chewable. I like it more when it's topped with peanut and grated buko. In line with it, Christmas season is near and Iloilo is the best place for your vacation. Don't forget to attend simbang gabi from the famous churches in Iloilo and try the bibingka from Mohon. You'll never regret it.

  

Biscocho By: Michael Lipana

Have you ever tried the food Biscocho? How does it taste? These are the statements I usually ask to those who went in Iloilo. Honestly, I haven't tried it that's why I am curious on its taste. My family and my friends told me that it tastes like toasted bread but, Biscocho is softer than toasted bread. One of my friends has strange way in eating Biscocho. Instead of chewing it, he stocked it in his mouth until it melts. He said you can really distinguish its taste in that way. Whenever we had vacation in Iloilo, we always dropped by to a store for native delicacies. We buy sweets and we never forget Biscocho as our pasalubong to our relatives and friends. And in return, they also gave us Biscocho every time they visit in Iloilo.

Iloilo's Biscocho is similar to other Biscocho in the country. It only differs on the passion of a person who made it. We all know that a person's feelings and passion affect the taste of the food that he/she cooked. And Ilonggos are known as the sweetest group of people in the Philippines that's why it's not questionable why they have a lot of famous food originated on their province. Due to their passion and sweetness, they captured every customer's heart. And Biscocho is one of the food or delicacies that people can't resist of. With that, Iloilo's Biscocho is still the best.

Biscocho is related to the English biscuit. It derived from the Latin phrase "bis coctus" which means "twice baked". It is a popular native delicacy in Iloilo. Biscocho refers to baked bread topped with butter and sugar and in some cases; they add garlic as a flavor. It is one of Filipino delicacies originated from Iloilo province and known as a perfect match for coffee or hot chocolate.

There's a lot of stores in Iloilo that sell Biscocho but the two stores offer the best Biscocho are the Biscocho Haus and Bong Bong's Delicacies store. Both of them were known due to their simple yet delicious and original Biscocho. It is not difficult to find these stores because they have branches located in different places in Iloilo. You can also find their stores in SM City Iloilo.

A beautiful spot is one of the main reasons for the tourists to spend time in that place. The delicious food that originated in Iloilo is also a reason for the people who always had their vacation in Iloilo. So, whenever you visit Iloilo, try all the well-known food in there and don't forget to grab Biscocho for your pasalubong. 

Tangke Salt Water Lagoon by Maylyn Santos (4)

Tangke Salt Water Lagoon, Gigantes Sur, Iloilo.

This wonderful place is my favorite destination to go whenever i'm in Iloilo. Tangke Salt Water Lagoon is one of the main attraction in Islas De Gigantes Sur. They said that it was breath-taking and they were right. It was jaw-dropping and breath-taking, it was something I haven't seen before. And I didn't regret going there. It's like a swimming pool but actually it's a part of a sea. The folks there said that because of hidden underwater tunnel the water from the sea was able to go inside. Allowing the water to rise and fall with the tides. 

Tangke Salt Water Lagoon is located in a hidden place behind the cliffs of Islas de Gigantes Sur. Many tourist and locals go there to swim in the shallow water and to gaze at the beautiful rock formations. And that's the exact reason why we went there. I was kinda curious about it since it was a known place and I've never gone to a place like that and now I do. But going there is kinda tiring for me since we had to climb on the rocks to go to the lagoon. But it was worth it and I would go there every time even if i have to climb. 

Tangke which means "Tank" in english. I don't know why it's called tank but i think because it's closed off like a tank. By the way in that place there is a care-taker in a hut asking for 10 pesos for taking care of the trashes that is left by visitors. I think it'll be good if you give them since they're responsible of making the place clean and they deserved it. 

During our stay there, the locals said that the place has many myths. One of those is a story that says that during the feast of St. John the Baptist (San Juan de Bautista), the water level inside tangke would magically rise up. And they've warned us not to make a commotion and noise inside tangke because we might disturb the "enkantos" or enchanted beings and might curse us. But of course i didn't believe that i still respected the place. I might get a curse you know? Just kidding! :) 

In order to get there you have to hire a pumpboat going to tangke and it's going to take you an hour to get there. I think the best time to go there is noontime when the water is in it's deepest. It's a wonderful place i tell you so you have to go there and experienced what i've gone through.   

Fried Rice at the Summer House Restaurant by Mae Lyn Talagon

   FRIED RICE AT THE SUMMER HOUSE RESTAURANT

One of the Ilonggo's favorite Chinese restaurants in Iloilo is the summer house,when I was a kid I go there with my aunt.This restaurant was originally located in the old business district of the city along J.M Basa street. but as time went by and the place seems to have flourished elsewhere, the restaurant found itself that everybody is talking about there good food and there service as well. Then years ago, it left its old place and now forms part of the lobby of the Iloilo Midtown Hotel.

The last time I visited (and actually ate) at The Summer House Restaurant was around one and a half years ago. I was with my friends who were from manila for a summer vacation. It was not really part of my plans that day but as we were inquiring at the hotel, we suddenly got hungry and right on the spot, it was nearly lunch. the taste was very original even those past years i can still remember the taste of there dish.

During that grateful visit, I was surprised that my friends were raving about our orders specifically the fried rice. Until now I never really understood how they cook this usual dish that turn into a very tasty fried rice. From the usual fried rice at home i cook. they proudly introduce there special sinangag (fried rice) Loaded with ham, chicken, prawns and vegetables sprinkled with clove leaf. this fried rice dish taste really good. makes me crave everyday but i cant perfect the taste like the summer restaurant does.

I haven't expect that a left over rice well makes me crave that day. well, i did try to ask them on how to cook there special fried rice. but honestly i cant make it perfect. like they had in this restaurant. and i really wish that i can go home everytime i wanted to eat fried rice.actually there menu was all good. they have fried lumpia, pansit bihon,pansit luglug and chopsuey, those are my favorite dishes. and also the best menu i ever tasted.

it’s clear why this restaurant outlived its competitors of recent years and still forms part of the Ilonggos best restaurant. and if you ever there in iloilo don't forget to visit the summer house restaurant and have a taste of there very own chinese fried rice serve in a chinese bowl. let them welcome you of there unique menu's very good services.