Nueva Ecija's PUNO'S ICE CREAM: A Provincial Heritage

This made my day! :)

Finally, natikman ko na ulit ang "Cheese, Cashew and Macapuno" ice cream from Puno's!

The first time I tasted it was when I joined a veteran-related event in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija and they served us this unforgettable ice cream.

They told me it was made from fresh carabao's milk, which I easily tasted! In fact, if one would really savor it, it tastes like frozen pastillas! Sobrang creamy yet it's not so sweet - just like any homemade ice cream.

What I appreciated most from this brand is that it CHOSE to maintain its branding as a "homemade" product - unlike other local brands who gained a massive following and went "commercial;" sacrificing the quality and tradition that go with it.

Well, that of course, may be because the family could not afford to expand their business, which includes buying big ice cream makers or hire delivery vans or get more people. In their Facebook page, it was written that "the company was founded by Atanacio and Simeona Puno...to send their nine children to school." This gives us a deeper perspective beyond "business as usual."

The first time I tried it, I asked the people from Cabanatuan if there are available Puno's products elsewhere - especially in Manila. They told me that it is only available in various areas within the province of Nueva Ecija. Yes - making it a provincial heritage, a treasure you really have to go to.

That is why today, after a medical mission in Fort Magsaysay, I bravely asked my boss to make a quick turn along Sta. Rosa just so we could buy this ice cream. I needed to take advantage of tasting this heavenly creation again. Hinanap ko pa talaga sa Facebook page nila kung saan ang pinakamalapit na store sa pinuntahan namin. Ganun ako na-hook! :)

I will definitely miss this when I go to New Zealand. No amount of ice cream made from their cows' milk will take the place of the taste and heart of this Filipino dairy goodness.

Hear the Pacific Ocean Roar!

Nov 1, 2012 - - After a 14-hour bus ride from Manila to Buguey in Cagayan Valley, this is what welcomed me and my family:

Heavenly Father, the Creator of this wonderful world and the universe, thank yooooouuuuu for the chance to hear the oceans roar. So that's how they worship you, eh?

Tanggal ang pagod ko dun! :)

ANGONO's HIGANTES: What's with the Swag?

Before mascots and Cosplay, the Filipinos during the Spanish colonization period already had higantes. Not the one to be left out of this famous festival in the artistic town of Angono in Rizal, I took the advantage of taking photos with these colorful gigantic papier-mâché (French for "chewed paper") that are paraded on the streets on the 23rd of November.

Giants got my back!

But I have always been curious why all these giants have their hands on their hips with heads held up high. It would have been more interesting to see them in various hand gestures and head tilts.

It turned out that Higantes Festival has an interesting origin:

Angono used to be a huge Spanish hacienda. In an overt effort to convert the Filipinos to Christianity, the Spaniards prohibited our forefathers to celebrate our own festivities. As a protest, our ancestors took advantage of the only festivity they were allowed to celebrate - the feast of San Clemente, patron saint of fishermen - by making giant papier-mâché (or an effigy) that look like the oppressive hacienderos.

Nowadays, the higantes portray the 13 barangays' industries and personalities (which explains the sash that read: Paredes Funeral. Haha.)

Standing mighty proud with the 'higantes.'

Source on Higantes' history: www.meetmanila.com