Craving for Vigan Empanada from Ilocos Sur

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bagnet, sinanglao, tinubong, okoy, ... are just some of the delicacies that can be found in Ilocos Sur. But I believe the real iconic food treat that is most famous aside from their longganisa is their empanada, one of the most favorite street food.

There may be many kinds of empanada, but the crescent moon-shaped empanada is made up of grated green or unripe papaya, mung bean sprouts, mung beans and shredded carrots.  It also shows the Vigan people’s love for vegetables in their cuisine. Its meat filing consist of whole egg and skinless Vigan longganisa which for me makes the empanada a winner.

There are actually two kinds of empanada from Ilocos. There is the light colored and crispier one from Ilocos Sur (Vigan); and also one from Ilocos Norte (Laoag) with the thicker crust and darker complexion due to the achuete added during preparation.
A walk along Calle Crisologo while eating some Vigan empanada (for either snacks, lunch, or dinner) completes an epic experience of Vigan. Well, maybe you could ride a calesa, but be careful that the horse might grab a bite of the empanada while you do your selfie or groupfie shoots.

The empanada was also among the dishes served to us when we got invited by former Governor Chavit Singson at his Baluarte property famous for its zoo where some animals could even roam around free. Nit to also forget his pet tigers where he personally has some at his home.

Bigiw-Bugsay Race Revives Traditional Sailing Culture of Tañon Strait

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is a sailing nation – a country of 7641 islands connected for thousands of years by waterways via various watercraft.

To celebrate the Month of the Oceans, Island Buzz Philippines, a water sports company dedicated to make Cebu the ‘Paddling Capital of the Philippines’, paid tribute to traditional Visayan sailing and paddling culture by organizing a Bigiw regatta. Held on 13 May in Moalboal, the second annual ‘Bigiw Bugsay’ event gathered both traditional sailors and modern stand-up paddle-boarders in the biggest flotilla yet seen in Southern Cebu.

The Bigiw is a traditional dugout outrigger sailing canoe which for generations has been used by fishers in the Tañon Strait, a 161-kilometer strip which connects the Visayan and Bohol Seas. Lying between the islands of Cebu and Negros, the Strait is incredibly rich in biodiversity – hosting 62% of the country’s coral species, plus 14 species of whales and dolphins.

Oceana Philippines, Earth’s largest nonprofit dedicated solely to marine conservation, is working with government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the protection and conservation of this important protected area and fishing ground.

“The Strait provides food and livelihood for 42 towns and municipalities, making it among our top fishing areas,” says Oceana Philippines Vice President Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos. “However, it is threatened by commercial fishers who illegally fish inside the Strait – despite a ban on commercial fishing in both municipal waters and protected areas. By empowering local fishers and sailors to protect their home waters, we’ll ensure a steady supply of fish for everyone – especially artisanal fishers who fish near the coast.”

Davao Aguilas FC Attracts a Crowd Of 4,384 in its First Home Game in Tagum

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The next PFL match of DAFC will be against Kaya FC on may 21, 2017 to be held at University of Makati Stadium

Davao Aguilas Football Club (DAFC) attracted a crowd of 4,384 in its first home game at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex, which was the largest crowd drawn for any match in the newly started Philippines Football League (PFL).

DAFC went up against JPV Marikina FC, in an exciting match that led to a result of 3-2, in favor of the Marikina-based club.

Fil-Belgian midfielder Dylan de Bruycker, scored 2 goals for Davao Aguilas despite the tough weather that the team encountered on the pitch.

Next match will be against Kaya FC Makati on May 21, 2017 at 4 p.m., to be held at the University of Makati Football Stadium.

Tickets are available at the stadium.