Is it true that Filipinos are great singers? I once doubted it. A visit to a random bar revealed stunning voices that left me enchanted. This was in the small town of Baguio, suggesting that the country might be full of talented singers. Looks like I found another reason to return to the Philippines!
When unsure how to spend the night while traveling, try the keywords "singing and drinking." Baguio has few nightlife options beyond the night market. I discovered 108 SESSION ROAD Cafe, where you can get drunk on the voices of Filipino singers. The tonic and citrus cocktail I drank had a strong alcohol kick that matched the powerful singing.
Could strawberries from the Philippines be Japan's fifth-largest import? Japan’s strawberries are delicious but also imported. The top import source is the US, with an overwhelming value in the tens of millions of yen (2020). But looking closely at the data, only 400 kg of imports could make it to fifth place. Baguio’s strawberries are sweet and tart, ready to compete in Japan!
Gourmet linguistics: In Baguio, I drank "Sago Gulaman." It's essentially a tapioca juice with a berry-like sweetness, and the tapioca had a jelly-like texture. "Sago" refers to tapioca made from sago palm, and "Gulaman" is agar jelly. Now I can impress my Filipino friends with this knowledge!
I hate America! said a certain Filipino, reflecting the historical resentment from colonization. Yet, some deepened ties with the post-war American occupation forces and opened restaurants for their enjoyment, such as Max’s Restaurant. This place offers a blend of Filipino and American atmospheres around a round table.
Even an ordinary ice cream feels special when eaten in the Philippines rather than Japan. This implies that what matters in gourmet experiences isn't just what you eat but where you eat it. I had an Ube cone ice cream from a street vendor in Baguio. It was an ordinary Ube-flavored ice cream, but the memory of the Philippines made it special.
A gourmet dish born from Spanish colonization? Empanada, with its crispy fried pastry dough and warm filling of pork, egg, and probably cabbage. Though plain in taste, a few drops of vinegar turn it into an exquisite delicacy. While the ethics of colonization are debatable, if there were such a thing as "gourmet colonization," it might greatly benefit culinary culture.
Trying one snack can teach you about ten others. I challenged the mysterious snack, Mang Juan. It’s crispy with a tangy mayo and hidden seaweed flavor, reminiscent of fried pork skin dish chicharrón. Does this mean chicharrón is a popular dish here? I regret missing out on it.
When a knockoff surpasses the original, people acknowledge it. Prawn Crackers reminiscent of a certain shrimp snack had me thinking, “Did they copy it?!” The crispy texture matches the original, but it’s spicier and more aromatic, pairing well with drinks. It’s so good I don’t care anymore.
If you need a bottle opener while traveling, a belt buckle works. The first beer of 2023 in Baguio was Red Horse! With a strong 6.9% alcohol content, it’s formidable, yet once you get to know it, it’s a Filipino nice guy you can chug endlessly!
