Thursday, April 18, 2013

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.
IMG_9325


Chichacorn is another popular Ilocos pasalubong. Buy the chichacorn with packaging below because it was the best from all the brands we tried.
001Q9WCE750B6E0BA9043Al
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
IMG_8329


IMG_8330


Tupig vendors also sell kalamay but its appearance didn't appeal to me. 
IMG_8331

Onions from Ilocos are supposedly stronger and more aromatic. When in Ilocos, buy Ilocos onions because it's around 50% cheaper compared to Manila.
IMG_8293

Tongson's Royal Bibingka is another popular delicacy from the North. I didn't particularly appreciate that the bibingka was more sticky than starchy. 
IMG_8612


IMG_8611


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.
IMG_9228

My favorite pasalubong from Ilocos was the malunggay bread we bought from Durong's. 
IMG_9309


IMG_9315

The mini breads were baked to order ensuring freshness.
IMG_9321

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.
IMG_9332


Sunday, April 14, 2013

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. 
IMG_8954



IMG_8909

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. 
IMG_9005


IMG_9010




IMG_9023

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.
IMG_9072


IMG_9061


IMG_9053

4. KABIGAN FALLS
Kabigan Falls which is about 80 feet high, is surrounded by lush forest and drops to a concave basin.
IMG_9189

Having a guide is required to trek to the falls because it's easy to get lost in the jungle.
IMG_9095

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.
IMG_9104


IMG_9111


IMG_9115


IMG_9101

How I wish I hitched with this vehicle as I was very very tired from all the walking.
IMG_9123

When you see this bridge, the end is near!
IMG_9134

My picture doesn't do this falls justice...
IMG_9179


IMG_9184

Swim at the refreshingly cold waters of the falls as a reward for making it!
IMG_9186

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.  
IMG_9074


IMG_9082


IMG_9085

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.
IMG_9045


IMG_9040


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.

Friday, April 12, 2013

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:

photo (1)


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


Biscoff-Spread-Creamy
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.


0002178851694_500X500 (2)
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.


p170928z
Biscoff Cookies Family Pack (275php)


p170934b
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

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

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.

IMG_8982

It  was the biggest resort along Saud Beach and was fronting the beach...
IMG_8964


IMG_8966


IMG_8970
Saud Beach

IMG_8981



IMG_8968


IMG_8973

but the water stains in our room made me a non-happy camper. In hindsight, we should have requested to change rooms.
IMG_8938
Quadruple Room


There's not a lot of restaurants in Pagudpud, so we ate at Saud Beach Resort's restaurant morning, noon, and night. 
IMG_8948


IMG_9002
American Breakfast (180php)


IMG_9001
Ilocandia Breakfast (190php)

Choose from the seafood selection because the seafood dishes we tried were all fresh.
IMG_8960
Sizzling Squid (280php)

IMG_8958
Grilled Fish (280php)

IMG_9195
Liempo (245php)

IMG_9194
Talong (100php)

IMG_8957
Adobong Sitaw (140php)

IMG_8956
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.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...