Feature:

Just A Breadwinner

Take a bite of some of Panay’s kneaded delights

By Pepin

Going on tour around Panay will definitely whack you out. Aside from a superb lunch, a tasty snack will keep you going throughout the day. So what can your stomach expect from this part of the globe? Well, get ready to meet some of the luscious treats that are truly Panay-baked.

ENSAYMADA BALLS (Angelina Bakeshop; Php 11.75/piece)

Sift some flour and sprinkle some sugar and grated cheese, and you will get a mouth-watering Ensaymada. This treat melts in your mouth with a different flavor twist and your every bite will surely be unforgettable. Moreover, this is a perfect pasalubong (gift) for your love ones and they will surely miss its taste.

TOASTED ROUND CAKE (Deocampo’s Original Barquillos; Php 9.25/pack of 5)

Truly an Ilonggo masterpiece, this delight is a lot crunchier than you expect. Every piece is loaded with fresh butter and cream milk, and it is oven-fresh. This is a perfect tour partner, especially if you will be travelling from Iloilo City to Boracay for long hours.

BANANA CUP CAKE (Arlene’s Homemade Cake at Bolilao, Mandurriao Iloilo City; Php 15.00/pack of 3)

Banana cakes are scattered all over the Philippines, and the people of Panay are never too late to make their own recipe for this famous treat. What is good to have this as part of your snack is it can easily make you feel full. In addition, this treat is oozing with nutrients that you can often get from a piece of banana.

HOPIA BABOY (JD Bakeshop; Php 17.75/pack of 5)

Panayanons have their own version of Hopia, and surprisingly it can be at par with the bests in the land. What makes Panay-made Hopia a lot more exciting is that it contains more stuffing, and every piece complements well a delicious cup of coffee or hot choco.

FIG BREAD (Sari-sari Breadstore; Php 3.00/piece)

Sari-sari Breadstore existed for quite some time and it has several branches in some parts of the Province of Iloilo. Aside from its well-known Pandesal, presently there are a lot of delights that entice crabby bellies. One of which is the Fig Bread that boast a rich blend of tang in its filling. This may be a perfect substitute for Hopia, but then again, this has its own unique taste.

UBE MACAPUNO BIBINGKA (Tibiao Bakery; Php 13.75/piece)

You can have a cheap but lavish treat when you visit Antique or Iloilo. Ube Macapuno Bibingka is an upgraded version of the famous Filipino delicacy made from sweet rice flour (pilit) and coconut milk (gata). The traditional bibingka recipe involves pouring the mixture in banana leaves that are shaped like mini baking cups, and cooking it inside a customized oven, which is heated by firewood. The different varieties of bibingka all over Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, and Aklan only show that Panayanons are connoisseurs when it comes to exploring a different bend of taste of traditional Filipino cooking.

UGOY-UGOY (Tinapayan; Php 20.00/pack)

Ordinary days at home are often made pleasurable with this simple but yummy treat that is proudly Ilonggo. The crunchy and sweet taste of ugoy-ugoy makes it an unstoppable snack. That is, you can never get enough unless you finish a pack. But the best thing about this Ilonggo titbit is that it can also consummate as a dessert of a heavy dinner.

PUTO CHEESE (Laynie Manna Enterprise, Jaro Iloilo City; Php 28.00/pack of 15)

You will be tempted by the puto cheese’s amusing colors, but once you take a bite, you will surely have more. In Iloilo, this already makes a perfect snack during small gatherings, like organizational assemblies, group works, and even during all-night wake vigils. It is thrilling to eat because of its soft texture, and it is often regarded as a “practical snack”.

It is amazing to note that there are a lot of treats you can find in Panay Island, and this list can reach more than a thousand. And with all of these delectable food stuffs you can have, this assures you that you will never starve once you are here for a tour or for good.