Linggo, Oktubre 26, 2014

Taste & Tell: Foodtrip in Northern Mindanao

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A tourist's travel experience won't be complete without trying the destination's mouthwatering delicacies and authentic dishes! Ready your taste buds now, and get ready explore the delicacies of Northern Mindanao.

FOODS TO DIE FOR IN BUKIDNON

BINAKI

ivanhenares.com
Binaki, a known delicacy in Northern Mindanao, was originally a homemade dessert in Bukidnon. It is a steamed cake made of grated young corn with powdered milk, baking powder, and sugar mixed with water. Naming the  delicacy "binaki" is somewhat weird since the term sounds like baki, which is the vernacular for frog, but it has nothing to do with frogs. The assumption to why this delicacy is called like that is maybe because the corn cake when wrapped with corn husk resembles frog legs. 


PIÑASITAS

bukidnon.weebly.com
Piñasitas, a pineapple-based product, is one of the famous delicacies in Bukidnon-the pineapple capital of Asia and food basket of Mindanao. No wonder why its emerging delicacies come from pineapple. However, aside from pineapple-based products, organic rise-based products such as cookies, barquirice, pop rice, chicharice, etc. are also getting popular in Northern Mindanao.


FOODS TO DIE FOR IN CAMIGUIN

LANZONES

interaksyon.com
Duku in Indonesia, Lang-sat in Thailand, Lanzones in Philippines! This sweet and slightly sour fruit is one of the popular fruits in Southeast Asia, and mostly unknown in the West. This tropical fruit grows well in North-Central coast of Mindanao, and is said that the sweetest Lanzones in the Philippines comes from Camiguin. So, if you're planning to visit the province of Camiguin, make sure to do it in the month of October to experience Camiguin's Lanzones Festival, which is held every third week of the month.


 PASTEL

xplorerboyz.blogspot.com
Pastel is a Spanish term for cake. It is a mouthwatering delicacy from the paradise island of Camiguin. These are soft, sweet bun, filled with yema (made mostly of milk, eggs and sugar). Today, Vjandep Pastel of Camiguin has 12 varieties of fillings to satisfy your taste buds! Available flavors are as follows, Regular Yema, Ube, Mango, Macapuno, Cheese, Langka, Pineapple, and special flavors such as Durian, Guava, Strawberry, Chocolate, Special Yema and Assorted flavor.


FOODS TO DIE FOR IN LANAO DEL NORTE

 DODOL


choosephilippines.com

Dodol is the most popular rice-based delicacy in Lanao, particularly in the city of Baloi and Marawi, the places which have been touted as the "Dodol Country". It is often served in the special occasions of Maranao such as weddings, fiestas, birtday, etc. It is made from sticky rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. Others add durian to make it more delicious. 


HALANG-HALANG


pinoyadventurista.com

"Halang-Halang", literally means "anghang-anghang" (spicy-spicy), is where chilis are the primary ingredient of this spicy soup dish. It has small bits of beef, served as a soup. You can add more chopped chilis and spring onions to soothe one's taste and preference, This is one culinary adventure that is best experienced in food stalls, and found all over this province. (pinoyadventurista)

FOODS TO DIE FOR IN MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL

MORON OF PLARIDEL

top-destination-choice-the-philippines
When you hear the word "Moron", maybe, the first thing that comes to your mind is an adjective used to describe a fool/"stupid" person, but not in the province of Misamis Occidental, because "Moron" for the locals, is one of their best delicacies. Moron is a sweet tasty treat made of glutinous rice or rice flour mix, chocolate, sugar and coconut milk, rolled and wrapped in banana leaves then boiled or steamed. 

SUMAN OF CLARIN

spot.ph
Found in the one and only House of Suman in Clarin, Misamis Occidental, this Suman is hard to miss! It is made from malagkit, pure coconut milk and sugar. It's sweet and comes in a variety of flavors such as balintawak, suman latik, and ibus. 


FOODS TO DIE FOR IN MISAMIS ORIENTAL 

JAMON DE CAGAYAN


choosephilippines.com
Cagayan de Oro is famous for its hams which are locally known as Jamon de Cagayan. Also known as leg ham, this product undergoes the long process of salt curing and natural smoking. Once it’s done, it comes out fully cooked and ready to serve. Jamon de Cagayan is even packed in traditional cloth bags called “katcha” which are symbolic of Southern comfort and warmth. This delicacy is being produced by the best local ham makers in the city namely SLERS Ham, Pines Ham (TGO Foods), and Oro Ham. (incdo.com)


REMEMBER ME

This is one dish that is bound to make a mark in your life. It is a unique recipe that originated in Cagayan de Oro. It’s composed of internal and reproductive organs of animals, specifically the testicles of cows and horses. This delicacy is said to be an aphrodisiac, making it extremely popular both to tourists and locals. Remember Me is served in many restaurants and even food stalls in Cagayan de Oro so you won’t have difficulty finding this exotic dish.  (Sorry guys, but I wasn't able to find a picture of Remember Me :( )

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Sources:

adventuringfoodie.com/2014/02/binaki-corn-cake-cagayan.html/
bukidnon.weebly.com/delicacies.html
xplorerboyz.blogspot.com/2012/09/camiguin-vjandep-bakeshops-camiguins.html#.VE0R-_mUfz5
islandcamiguin.com/foods.html
choosephilippines.com/eat/local-flavors/1580/maranao-dodol-kalamay/
top-destination-choice-the-philippines.com/misamis-occidental.html
incdo.com/2012/07/top-5-delicacies-from-cagayan-de-oro.html


Linggo, Oktubre 12, 2014

Explore Region X: 5 Things To Do in Northern Mindanao

An eco-tourism hub of the Philippines, Region 10, is one of the captivating places you shouldn't miss! This region cannot hide it's beauty, since the richness of its natural resources were really evident. So are you ready to explore? Then, here are some of the exciting things to do in Northern Mindanao:


1. Be Refreshed!

Visit the White Island of Camiguin!

Are you tired living the city life? Want to have a break? Do you want to have some time just to relax, enjoy the beach, the sea, the sand, and the scenery? Well, the White Island of Camiguin is a perfect place for you! A "diver's paradise", "snorkeler's haven" and a paradise for the beach-lovers, White Island of Camiguin offers you a fulfilling getaway. 



Spelunking, is it worth trying?

Definitely, it is! Discover and enjoy the cave of Monigue in the province of Misamis Oriental. 



Spring Time! 

Sick with the beaches? Done with spelunking? Well, might as well visit and experience the relaxing springs of Camiguin! Discover the hot spring of Ardent, as well as the Sto. Niño cold spring. Don't miss it!

Ardent's Hot Spring

Source: mindanaotours.com


Sto. Niño Cold Spring

Source: i-wanderlustours.com




















2. Adventure time with nature!

Lasang Secret Adventure Park

Located at Initao, Misamis Oriental, The Lasang Secret Adventure Park is one of the famous tourist attraction in the province. The "secret mountain" that has five hanging bridges, 100-meter treetop boardwalk with an 80-feet spiral staircase and a zip line are among its tourist attractions which allows tourist, visitors, as well as guests both domestic and foreign to explore and experience the "inner sanctum" of the forest.

Source: vigattintourism.com
Source: pinaytravelista.com


Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park

Another "must see" in the province of Misamis Occidental is the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) which features two attractions: the  mini zoo and the dolphin island. 

    Here's the bamboo pathway of the zoo! Creative isn't it? 
Source: kinabuhi.net

    Want to say "hi!" to this cute, little fella? 
Source:kinabuhi.net

Another attraction in MOAP is the Dolphin Island! Well, it's not an island actually, but more of a man-made structure designed as a dolphin rescue center. 

Source: tripsiders.com



Want to swim with the dolphins? Want to experience feeding the dolphins? Well, I suggest you book a flight to Misamis Occidental now ! :) 


3. Zip Along!

Dahilayan Adventure Park

Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon is proud of their Dual Zipline – the longest zipline in Asia. It speeds up to 90 kph, 840m long and launches at 4,700 feet above sea level. This nerve-racking adventure is guaranteed safe for all ages and in fact was already tried by a 2 yrs.old baby and a 77 year old grandpa! While relishing the adrenaline rush, one can enjoy the mountainous back-drop as if flying very high above the air! (Source: e-philippines.com)



4. Time Travel!

Fuerte De La Concepcion Y Del Triunfo

Want to experience time travel? Well, let me take you to the place that will take you back to the Spanish-colonial era. The Fort was built in 1756 to guard against the pirates, and still stands today.




Discover Atlantis!

The first major Spanish settlement in Catarman was wiped out by the 1871 explosion of Mt. Vulcan in Camiguin. You can see what's left of the old town above ground, or you might wanna try and have a spooky dive adventure to the Sunken Cemetery! 


5. Make it to the top!

Do you have the strength to make it to the top? the will to conquer every mountain? Then, don't miss the chance to do this exciting things in Region 10! 


Camiguin's Mt. Hibok-Hibok!



Bukidnon's Mt. Kitanglad!


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So that's it! Are your bucketlist ready?..What are you waiting for?..Go and Try those amazing things in 
Region X!




Sources:
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/misamis-occidental/top-things-to-do/
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/misamis-oriental/top-things-to-do/
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/lanao-del-norte/top-things-to-do/
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/camiguin/top-things-to-do/
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/bukidnon/top-things-to-do/