Rojas Night Market in Davao is a must-visit. I discovered Hopia, a flaky pastry with a purple yam filling. The sweet but not overly sweet filling made it a great snack. Originally from China, it was adapted to Filipino tastes. Changing the filling to suit local preferences shows the versatility of the stuffing system.

The catfish, also known as hito, has whiskers like a cat. This cute-named fish was grilled on skewers! The juicy white flesh was reminiscent of grilled tuna. Hmm, why is "cat" used for both cats and catfish? I decided not to say anything, knowing it's risky around cat lovers. (Sorry, kitty!)

Let's drink with Nagaraya cracker nuts! The peanuts in a crispy, slightly sweet coating are crunchy but don't pair well with alcohol. Research shows they were developed for office workers and kids studying. Knowing this heartwarming fact, my face turned redder as a drunk making false claims.

To elevate happiness in the Philippines, know your favorite snacks. I found Sponge, a corn puff snack soaked in chocolate, at 7-Eleven. The crunch reminded me of moist chocolate snacks. The chocolate's sweetness is like romance—bittersweet, but my love life is bitter.

Does it look un-Filipino? It's Pastil (Patil), a halal dish from Mindanao. The beef is fatty and juicy, with a spicy kick that makes the rice irresistible. Knowing Mindanao's large Muslim population brings new reasons to visit the Philippines. Time to work hard!

A common problem in Filipino convenience stores is choosing snacks. When in the mood for Oreos, I recommend Cream-O vanilla flavor! The cocoa cookie's crunch and slight bitterness, combined with the high cream flavor accuracy, are excellent. Just overlook the cream not separating cleanly when split.

Is the purpose of travel important? In my experience, not really. I found a small, unlisted night market in Davao by chance. The unfamiliar street food and local interactions made for memorable experiences. I often find what I seek before I know it. So, enjoy the detours on your journey, as Gon’s father said.

Hearing rumors of delicious lobster, I went to a seafood Chinese restaurant in Davao but found it sold out. I angrily settled for shrimp, the lesser alternative. The shrimp were unexpectedly plump and juicy, with a garlic sauce that made the rice irresistible. It was so delicious that I apologized to the shrimp. I'm the inferior one here.

Mogu Mogu, a drink I can recommend worldwide, contains nata de coco chunks in fruit juice, devoured in seconds. It's like catnip in the juice world. Originating in Thailand, it's sold in over 60 countries, including Japan! I immediately searched online, only to find their X (formerly Twitter) account suspended, making me cry instantly.

For a night out in Davao, head to Matina Town Square! Enjoy Filipino singing while munching on crunchy pork sisig, seasoned heavily with salt, making beer flow like a waterfall. However, the excess fat made it far from ideal. I have high standards for sisig! (I'm the noisy drunk type)