Bicol Delicacy

[misselaisa-blog]

Adapting

When I entered college in Bicol University, it was also my first time to step here in Albay and it’s really hard for me to adjust especially I’m away from my mom. The first thing I was able to face is to adjust with my boardmates and the ambiance in our place. Next is being independent and to be an independent person is very hard for me because since elementary to high school I’m very dependent with my mom, it’s like in every thing I do I ask my mom and always follow her decisions.

The dialect in Masbate is really different from the dialect here in Albay and it is one of my problems when I stepped here for the first time because I don’t understand what they are talking, especially they’re not always using Filipino language. But when I stayed here for 1 month I already understand their language but there are some words that really hard to understand and I can’t talk bicol fluently until now.

For almost 3 years living here, I can say that I’ve already adjust and adapt their culture and their language. I can also ride on my own because back then I don’t know what jeepney I would ride to and I don’t where to go. Now, I’m already an independent woman because of the lesson I learned in life.

[misselaisa-blog]

Sumlang is one of the tourist attractions in Camalig, Albay and if you want a different perspective of Mayon, Sumlang Lake is to be. Just like in Cagsawa, you can enjoy the view of Mayon, you can rent a very affordable bamboo raft and cruise around the lake. The lake is very relaxing and  the various selection of rafts with different rattan furnitures is so adorable.

As I went to Sumlang for the first time, it was really cool for the viewers to see the lake with its background, the Mt. Mayon. Sumlang is not that very attracting that time but when I came back it is already renovated and it is more beautiful than I came for the first time.

How to get there? From Legazpi, you can just have one ride a Camalig-bound jeep and the lake is within walking distance from the kanto where the jeep drops you off.

I really want to come back here in Sumlang Lake with my family especially with my mom because I want to travel first in local with her and my next spot is in national to international, and that will be happen someday.

[misselaisa-blog]

Where to go in Albay?

If you love watching Mt. Mayon, you can go to Cagsawa and you can enjoy the view of Mayon Volcano from the Cagsawa Ruins. Cagsawa Park is one of the beautiful tourist spots where you can view the perfect cone. The bell tower of the destroyed Church of Cagsawa, with Mayon in the background, is probably one of the most photographed man-made structure in the country.

You not just only enjoying the view but also you can get souvenirs from woodcraft to potteries to indigenous wear to local delicacies. Nearby, there are restaurants and eateries, ice cream and halo-halo parlors, and even a resort with a swimming pool.

My experience when I went in Cagsawa was really enjoying moment. I’m with my friends and taking a picture anywhere just to see and save the beautiful view of Cagsawa. The park was indeed clean and there were souvenir boutiques around that sell very cheap items made of abaca. I can say that, we had fun!

Well, Cagsawa is just one of the best sceneries in Albay and if you want more beautiful places you can visit more.

[misselaisa-blog]

Another famous food in Bicol is Tilmok, it is the Bicolano term for coconut meat and the main ingredient of this is crab meat. The preparation or making for Tilmok starts with mixing of coconut meat and crab meat together. The mixed “meats” are put inside banana leaves and then steamed. This delicious dish is popular among locals and even foreigners. When I tried this one, I ate a lot because of its good taste.

(photo taken: google)

[misselaisa-blog]

Santol is a kind of fruit that sour taste and delicious as well but santol is not just a fruit because it can also be cook and eat with rice. One of the famous ginataan or a dish with coconut milk from Albay is the ginataang santol. The meat of the santol fruit is cooked in coconut milk. No one imagined that the extremely sour fruit would be a very delicious viand.

I didn’t know that santol fruit can be cook with gata and results in very delicious food because in Masbate we don’t cook like this. But when I was first year college and also starts living here in Albay, I tried ginataang santol and I expect that I can taste the sour but I didn’t and it’s amazes me and after that, everytime I’m craving for it I buy and eat with rice as my meal.

(photo taken: google)

[misselaisa-blog]

Everyone likes ice cream, not just like but we love eating ice cream and we have different flavors we love. Here in Albay, we have chilli “sili” ice cream and a lot of people from different places found and tried this kind of ice cream. As I tried Chili ice cream, it tastes like heaven but if you eat a lot, it will feel like hell because of the spicy in your throat. Actually, it depends on your tolerance over spicy food and me, I admit that I’m not a fan of spicy food but I love the chilli ice cream and enjoyed eating it.

(Photo taken: google)

[misselaisa-blog]

If you are a vegetarian and looking for delicious veggies, you must try Laing or what we call Pinangat in Bicol. Laing is made from local “gabi” or taro leaves. The leaves is simmered in coconut cream and then served with siling labuyo or chili pepper. The dish is very common since the Bicolanos plant taro near their houses. The dish is also very affordable and it can be seen in almost any carenderia in the region.

Photo taken: google

[misselaisa-blog]

If you are a fan of chili food, you must try Bicol Express and you’d be satisfied of your cravings. It is small chunks of pork cooked in coconut milk, shrimp paste and a lot of chili, Bicol Express is a Filipino favorite that originates from Bicol Region.

I don’t like eating spicy food because I can’t eat it very well and for me it’s not satisfying but when I tried Bicol Express once, I ate a lot of it and I don’t mind if it’s spicy because it’s a very delicious food.

Photo taken: lonelytravelogue.com 

[misselaisa-blog]

Sweet Start

Pili Nut Candy is one of my favorites food in Albay and it also gives a distinct quality and taste that makes people coming back in Legazpi for more. It is my favorite ever since I was in high school because I am from Masbate and every time my cousins went home from Bicol, they brought Pili as a pasalubong. As I tried Pili Nut for the first time, it is soft yet crisp with an easy crunch that melts in my mouth and making it my favorite as a snack food.

I also remember my mom if we’re talking about Pili because she also loves eating Pili and when I stepped in first year college, I am the only one who buy and bring it home for her. I love pili like loving my mom.

Photo taken: google