Ilocos Diaries: Food Pasalubong from Ilocos

I am ending my Ilocos diaries with Ilocano food delicacies we can all bring back home to family and friends.

No trip to Ilocos is complete without buying Ilocos longganisa, bagnet, and empanada. We bought our stash at the Laoag Market and it's ideal to buy the day you are leaving Ilocos in order for it survive the long commute home.

Chichacorn is another popular Ilocos pasalubong. Buy the chichacorn with packaging below because it was the best from all the brands we tried.

Photo Grabbed from Open Rice

Tupig is a native delicacy made from glutinous rice. Unlike in Pangasinan where tupig is wrapped in banana leaves, tupig in Ilocos is cooked inside bamboo shoots. It's bulky and heavy but an interesting pasalubong nonetheless

Tupig vendors also sell kalamay but its appearance didn't appeal to me. 

Onions from Ilocos are supposedly stronger and more aromatic. When in Ilocos, buy Ilocos onions because it's around 50% cheaper compared to Manila.

Tongson's Royal Bibingka is another popular delicacy from the North. I didn't particularly appreciate that the bibingka was more sticky than starchy. 

Our tour guide/van driver also made us stop at Pasuquin Bakery which is famous for its biscochio. We tried it out but didn't get what the fuss was all about. Even so, I wouldn't discourage those who are  biscochio lovers to visit the store.

My favorite pasalubong from Ilocos was the malunggay bread we bought from Durong's. 

The mini breads were baked to order ensuring freshness.

I didn't expect to even like this little veggie bread but it was love at first bite. Sweet and hot with flavors that  didn't remind me of vegetables. I'm not the only one because out of all the food I brought home, this was the big hit with my family.

Ilocos Diaries: What to See in Pagudpud

Pagudpud is a coastal town in Ilocos Norte and it's an hour away  from Laoag City. It was also our last stop during our 3 city tour of the North.

Aside from Saud Beach, I listed down the places we visited in Pagudpud from my most to least favorite. Here goes:

1. BANGUI WINDMILLS

It's a must to go to the giants fans of Bangui when visiting Pagudpud. It's the first wind farm in the Philippines and the largest of its kind in South East Asia.  The project provides 40% of the electricity needs of Ilocos Norte. 

2. PATAPAT VIADUCT

The Patapat Viaduct is 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. Known as the French Riviera of the North for the beautiful coastal drive, it's a winding bridge hugging the cliffs of the Northern Cordillera Mountain Ranges. 

3. BLUE LAGOON

Compared to Saud Beach, Blue Lagoon has a shorter shoreline but has calmer waters. It's also prettier and more scenic in my opinion with its deep blue waters and powdery sand. I would have loved to have taken a dip at the Blue Lagoon but we didn't have time.

4. KABIGAN FALLS

Kabigan Falls which is about 80 feet high, is surrounded by lush forest and drops to a concave basin.

Having a guide is required to trek to the falls because it's easy to get lost in the jungle.

The hike is supposedly just 30 minutes but it took us 45 minutes to get to Kabigan Falls. Here are the scenes we saw along the way.

How I wish I hitched with this vehicle as I was very very tired from all the walking.

When you see this bridge, the end is near!

My picture doesn't do this falls justice...

Swim at the refreshingly cold waters of the falls as a reward for making it!

5. BANTAY ABOT CAVE

Bantay Abot means a mountain with a hole. The hole in the middle of the mountains came about as  waves crashed until it was wrecked in a huge tremor in the ‘80s.  

6. TIMMANGTANG ROCK

Timmangtang Rock is a bell-shaped rock covered with vegetation. The only reason why we went to Timmangtang Rock is because it was in the same area as the Blue Lagoon. No reason to go here really because it's just a giant rock.

Overall. I enjoyed Pagudpud for its small town charm and it being devoid of commercialism even though it's one of the more popular destinations of the North.

Biscoff Spreads and Cookies For Sale in Manila

We would like to interrupt regular programming to announce that Biscoff products will soon be available at Cookie Butter Manila.

Here are the Biscoff products available at Cookie Butter Manila:

For those who are unfamilar with Biscoff, allow us to introduce the products:

Biscoff Creamy Spread (450php)

Biscoff Spread turns Biscoff cookies into a sumptuous, spreadable treat which is perfect for spreading on toast, dipping in apples, adding as a secret ingredient in desserts, or enjoying straight out of the jar! Biscoff spreads are all natural and contain no nuts, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Biscoff Spread is a sweet creamy spread made with Biscoff cookies (57%). Enjoy it just like a chocolate spread or peanut butter.

Biscoff Crunchy Spread (550php)

Biscoff fans, get ready for a new obsession! Crunchy Spread takes the creamy delight you already crave and add chunks caramelized Biscoff cookies. Imagine the possibilities: crunchy Biscoff Spread on toast, on waffles, as frosting layers in holiday cookies or tortes – or just licked off the spoon. It is made with over 66% Biscoff Cookie.

Biscoff Cookies Family Pack (275php)

Biscoff Cookies Individually Packed (10php)

Delectably crunchy, with a caramelized flavor, Biscoff cookies are the perfect treat all by themselves or complemented with a beverage. These unparalleled European cookies are made using the same recipe since 1932 that travelers fell in love with from in-flight distribution.

For orders and inquiries, don't hesitate to email cookiebuttermanila@gmail.com.

Also like the Cookie Butter Manila facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/CookieButterManila

Ilocos Diaries: Saud Beach Resort in Pagudpud

For our one night in Pagudpud, we stayed at Saud Beach Resort, supposedly one of the best resorts in the area.

It  was the biggest resort along Saud Beach and was fronting the beach...

Saud Beach

but the water stains in our room made me a non-happy camper. In hindsight, we should have requested to change rooms.

Quadruple Room

There's not a lot of restaurants in Pagudpud, so we ate at Saud Beach Resort's restaurant morning, noon, and night. 

American Breakfast (180php)

Ilocandia Breakfast (190php)

Choose from the seafood selection because the seafood dishes we tried were all fresh.

Sizzling Squid (280php)

Grilled Fish (280php)

Liempo (245php)

Talong (100php)

Adobong Sitaw (140php)

Shrimp Broccoli (280php)

When staying in Pagudpud, be prepared to rough it out as the resorts don't offer the usual comforts that we expect from the more commercialized and developed resorts of Boracay amd Cebu. 

Saud Beach Resort is located at Bgy. Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. For more information, call (632)9212856 or click here.