Iloilo tourist spots: Sicogon Island by Maylyn Santos (3)

Brgy. Buaya, Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo

We were planning to go to Iloilo but we don't know what place to go. My friend who lived in Guimaras suggested that we go to Sicogon Island. She said that Sicogon is an amazing island to go to. The island was one of the many beautiful attractions that graces the water of Northern Iloilo. And she said that it was popular during her mother's teenage years which is 70s to 80s because during her years "Sicogon Island Resort" was the reason why it's popular. She also said that before Boracay, Sicogon Island was the most popular destinations to go in Asia. 

At present, the island may not have luxurious accommodation or amenities but tourist or travelers can still visit the island to enjoy the picturesque sandy beaches, virgin forests, and clear blue water. Because I find it awesome to go. I asked my aunt to go there while we're in iloilo. I didn't regret going there since it was really beautiful. My family had fun to and said that Sicogon Island is the best. And you know what the sunrise view there was so amazing. It woke up early so I can see the sunrise they're boasting about. And it was worth waking up early for. 

The island has more to offer than their beautiful beach and excellent sunrise view. They have fun activities such as Scuba Diving, Snorkeling Indoor games and many more. One of the staff said that Sicogon Island is not only the place you can go there. One example of this is; Tumaquin Island which is located at the cost of Brgy. Buaya. You can go there by foot or by boat but only during low tide. Since we are a adventure loving family. We went there to scuba dive and snorkel. If you go there I recommend you to do what we did. The water was so amazing, I experienced a lot. Seeing beautiful corals, shells, and different kinds of fish. Amazing so amazing! 

Next morning, we went to Mt. Opao. The local guide who accompanied us said that the natural clean spring in Mt. Opao is the main water source of the island. If you want to see the over view of the island then it's best to go to Mt. Opao. We saw a magnificent view up there.  Our one and a half hike was worth it. The next place we went to is Sicogon Island Resort Ruins. I was curious since it was the resort that made the island famous. So we went there after having a sight seeing in the mountain. We saw the remains of the resort. The swimming pool that has become a pond. It was still beautiful as they've said so. 

The last place we explored is the beach in Dapdap, San Fernando. It was quiet and relaxing. The place was amazing to and a good place to have a picnic. But you need to have a large amount of sunscreen on your skin before you eat there. We weren't able to find a shady place. So we were sunburned but was worth it. Then the next morning we went home. It was a fun experience for us to go there. So if you don't know where to go. You should go there and have a wonderful time with your loved ones!   

Kadyos Baboy Langka by Mae Lyn Talagon

DELICIOUS KBL AWAITS YOU IN ILOILO
by: Mae Lyn Talagon

Filipino cuisine is very unique and traditional when it comes with cooking. My article will focus on the recipes that i've learned and observed from my nanay (mother). Since it was her specialty she cooks really well.This dish was very popular and well love cuisine in iloilo. You can taste it often in every fiestas and different occasions most especially in visayas region. A favorite dish of ilonggos and mine as well, Because of its unique taste and rare ingredients.

Kadyos baboy langka also known as KBL stands for kadyos (pegion peas) baboy (pork) langka (jack fruit). We will add the batuan or gamboge in english.This fruit is rare and it taste sour but not acidic , The tartness that promotes saliva in mouth without impacting the stomach unlike vinegar and kalamansi often does. This kind of sourness only batuan can deliver. Don't forget the siling mahaba (long chili) for its spicy effect a very important taste for a perfect KBL.

Whenever i was there in iloilo. I help my mother cook our foods. She doesn't teach me but i really like cooking so i observe her on how to prepare,as well as tasting her cooking. Most specially her delicious KBL. My mom told me that the secret of her special KBL was the perfect timing of putting the ingredients. And also it would be perfect if you use a pork's feet (cut into pieces) with certain meat to get the bad smells out.     
                      

I had taste some restaurant here in manila that has kbl on there menu. But actually im not satisfied of there cooking because the ingridients was not exactly complete. AAnd i cant appreciate it with out batuan, Well if you dont have batuan you can use kamyas (tree sorrel),This is the best substitute for souring taste of any dish you want to cook.

But i suggest to ask some locals that you know or some of your relatives that can cook well with this menu. And so if you ever go in iloilo have a taste of the special kbl and some ilonggo's specialty like kansi, bulalo,laswa and there very own version of chicken binakol . Or visit some local restaurant or carinderia's that had this special ilonggo dish.kadyos, baboy langka was bestwhen it serve with hot plain rice . 

Pesto Chicken Fillet at the Mango Tree Restaurant

by: Mae Lyn Talagon

I like tasting different kind of food especially pesto dishes. I wanted to share my dining experience at the mango tree restaurant located at Mandurriao Iloilo city. The restaurant is named after a big mango tree that has been there for so long and has been the centerpiece of the Gonzalez family's garden. If you would like to enjoy the full meal with finest ingredients come to the mango tree restaurant and get my favorite pesto chicken fillet with Choice of plain rice,Garlic rice or Mashed potato, served with buttered vegetables on the side.

Chicken pesto is something that you should try. The taste of creamy sauce paired with rice and sprinkled garlic was really delicious. I can go back to Iloilo for this meal makes me hungry every time I remember the taste of those tasty chicken fillet. They also served appetizer way to start your meal! Fresh salad greens with candied nuts, strips of sundried tomatoes drizzled with Greek balsamic vinaigrette and topped with parmesan cheese. This appetizer is way too different of its crunchy goodness.

Since i like coffee i can say they have the best brewed coffee ever! it is freshly brewed genuine coffee and it smells really good. Oh and wow! Of course i never forget the taste of bone marrow with beef shank, this kind of exotic food taste really different makes me think this is the deadliest dish they will offer me in that day. Scooping out the buttery bone marrow, and pair it with some beef shank , and there you go. I instantly felt the cholesterol overload from this dish. But whoa! it was extremely yummy!

The Mango Tree Restaurant is haven for those who are looking for relaxing place to dine and unwind. they have a garden area and an indoor area, to give customers the choice of dining al fresco or in the cool indoor terrace  i feel . I feel like i'm at home because of its wide garden and big mango tree, way too different from the crowded city.

Also they arranged some special occasions such as Christening,Debut, birthday, Wedding etc. and wait! They also set a surprise romantic dinner for two! This sounds romantic right? have you ever imagine your partner will bring you in this kind of set up? And there was a table for two with scented candle everywhere. You should visit the mango tree restaurant and feel the huwaw! Moments.

Things to do in Baras Beach Resort by Maylyn Santos (2)

 Baras Beach Resort

Last year, My family and I went to Iloilo to bond and have fun. We went to Guimaras, it's an island that's famous for it's breathtaking sceneries,beaches, fun activities, and of course their mangoes. A wonderful place to go during summer. It was so much fun there since there's a lot of fun things to do there. 

It'll be good if you have a house to stay in there since you can stay there however you like. But if you don't then I recommend you to go in Baras Beach Resort in Baranggay Lawi. The cottages and guestrooms there are impressive and remarkable. Some of there guestrooms cost 800 pesos to 950 pesos, cottages cost 1,000 pesos to 1,200 pesos, and the remaining rooms cost 1,500 pesos. If your a day visitor then you only have to pay 75 pesos only. It's good to go there since it's a resort and has a beach to swim with. It's best to have a house near their resort so you can spend less. 

We stayed there for a whole week and we had the best week ever. We did a lot of activities there such as boating, bird watching, beach volleyball, trekking and wind surfing sailing, canoe paddling, and dinghy rowing.  They offered a lot of activities and we did them all. The glimmering waters are also special.

Not only they have a beautiful resort they also have delicious food and beverages. They have a bar that serves alcoholic beverages, beers and many more. My aunt doesn't mind that I have a taste of their alcohol. She said that as long as i'm not drinking like a maniac. But that not all inside the hotel you can see native paintings and artworks. So what do you think? It sounds amazing right? For me it was so amazing. 

So if ever you want to go here. Here is the contact information in Baras Beach Resort.

Their website is www.baras.willig-web.com, you could find more information at their site. You can send them your concerns at their email address barasguim@yahoo.com and you can also call them at their phone numbers: (033)-338-2249 and 0927-4801027.

Pancit Molo in Iloilo by Michael Lipana

Pancit Molo

Have you been in Iloilo? Well, Iloilo is one of the best places in the Philippines. It has beautiful spots for the tourists to have a meaningful visit, fun and unforgettable experiences. Iloilo's natural beauty and special food recipes capture someone's heart. Ilonggos were known with their delicious and tasty Pancit Molo.

Pancit Molo is one of the best food recipes originated in Iloilo. It made with natural ingredients and boiled for an hours to come out the real and delicious taste of the Pancit Molo's soup. Some provinces and cities in the Philippines tried to copy Pancit Molo's recipe but, Iloilo's Pancit Molo remains as the best. Are you curious with its taste?! What are you waiting for?! Visit Iloilo and try the best Pancit Molo in the world.

Obviously, pancit is the main ingredient of Iloilo's Pancit Molo. Are you wondering why itcalled pancit? The term "pancit" or "pansit" means noodles. It called Pancit Molo because it made up with noodles but it is not a regular noodle. Instead, Ilonggos use wonton noodles and they add soimai or molo wrappers that made the pancit molo tastier and more irresistible.

 Kaplsing and Tita Paz Pancit Molo's house were known in Iloilo because of their original pancit molo. I haven't tried eating in these pancit molo's house when I was in Iloilo but, one of my friends and his family tried Kaplsing and Tita Paz Pancit Molo. They were surprised at the first time because of the unexplainable taste of the pancit molo. Because of that, they always dropped by in these Pancit Molo's house whenever they visited Iloilo. It's just one of the evidences that the best pancit molo is in Iloilo.

 Pancit Molo was named after the old Chinese district of the city which is Molo. This dish always present in many occasions. I and my family had our vacation in Iloilo last summer. We tried this famous Ilonggos' pride, Pancit Molo and we really loved it. It's my first time to try this food. I considered it as one of the unusual food yet, it catches my heart and my meticulous tongue. It has unique taste and it's really different. So, it's time for you to have a bowl of Iloilo's Pancit Molo and you'll never regret it.

Mango Pizza: Have a taste of mango goodness! by Mae Lyn Talagon

    Mango Pizza at Pitstop Restaurant   
  by: Mae Lyn Talagon 

Guimaras, its name has always been heard around the world for its sweetest mango. But let's discover something new about Guimaras! Something unusual. They have mango jam, dried mango, mango biscocho, etc. But wait! I have never heard of mango pizza before. I'm not familiar with mango pizza. They said you would never know what it tastes like until you try it. So I did. And they are right. It is delicious! In fact, it was fantastic.

So last January, when I went home in Guimaras, I stopped by at San Miguel Jordan to eat the mango pizza. It was totally worth it! I felt satisfied because it was an excellent value it only cost 189.00 pesos which is relatively inexpensive compared to other pizza parlors. my hunger was totally satisfied and i have some left over to share with my family and friends.

In this restaurant called "The Pitstop Restaurant". They also serve unique pizzas and pastas to the delight of visitors. Probably people haven’t tried or even heard of such as the diner’s bestseller, Mango Pizza. Instead of using tomato paste as base, the Pitstop use the island’s number one product and incorporated to their pizza, overflowing with layers of mango-goodness topped with bell pepper and sprinkled with nuts – and of course, don’t forget the cheese. The Mango Pizza is also best when paired with Mango Ketchup, (oh yes, there is a mango ketchup).

Sounds delicious right? It taste like heaven for every slices. For every bite, I feel satisfied and  at the same time happy. It's located at Chavez Building in San Miguel Jordan, Guimaras. I, for sure, will come there again soon with my friends because this exquisite luxury is beyond comparison. I endeavor to share this dinning experience with  fellow connoisseur in the immediate future.It's truly a pizza that you want to try over and over again.

Mango Pizza is not the only thing they have at Pitstop Restuarant. Now, do you think that you've heard of everything? Well, I think not. Pitstop even have Mango Spaghetti, Mango Shake, and Chicken with rice and spaghetti. If you wanna take it over the top, try Garden Fresh Pizza and many more. Fortunately, all this items are in extremely excellent value. So go there as soon as you can because you're gonna love it. 

Pawikan Cave: Tourist spot in Iloilo by Maylyn Santos (1)

Pawikan Cave in Islas de Gigantes in Carles, Iloilo.

If you want to go to a amazing place then here in Islas de Gigantes in Carles, Iloilo you will find Pawikan Cave. I went there once with my family and I tell you its a must see attraction and a spectacular place. Upon entering in this cave, we were greeted with a huge entrance chamber and the sight of amazing rock formations. Within the cave there are more several cave chambers that are being lighted with the little openings on the cave ceiling.

I felt like i was in a different place i mean i felt "other-worldly". We were guided by locals and they were telling us that their elders told them that they shouldn't go there because they will disturb the spirits living in the cave. But don't worry we got out safe and didn't encounter strange things. 

The locals said that the cave was named "Pawikan" because of the large egg-shaped rock formations (that resembles giant turtle eggs) that is placed at one of the deep chambers of the cave. They also said that the "pawikan eggs" were devised by the Japanese Imperial Army as a marker to  indicate the location where they buried gold bars which were believed as part of the Yamashita Treasure. Now, the "Pawikan eggs" are gone with extensive dug up holes at the site. But the place was still wonderful despite of that. 

But you know what it's kind of hard getting in Pawikan Cave since you need to climb a hill and enter a forest and it's very challenging for us because it is 200ft high. So you better be careful if you want to go there. But it's very worth it since the place was amazing and beautiful. We got there by a boat and we got in the cave for about an hour.

This place is great for people who likes to hike and loves to explore. We enjoyed our time here in Islas de Gigantes especially in Pawikan Cave. We've never seen a cave that is great than that. So if ever you will go in Islas de Gigantes go to Pawikan Cave for a beautiful scenery.