One of the most popular items being bought by travelers from the Philippines are handicrafts, either as souvenirs, personal use, memorabilia, jewelries, accessories or house decors. Handicrafts in the Philippines are superior in both style and craftsmanship and are made up of local native products such as bamboo, rattan, capiz shells and coconut shells or husks each handcrafted to perfection for local consumption or for export. Shops in the Philippines are abundant for the handicraft industry in Metro Manila as well in some provinces. Some popular places are the ones in the Mabini-Ermita area and Divisoria in Metro Manila, but for exhibits and showcases events, the best way to go are the Cavite Export Processing Zone along the coastal highway, the National Trade Fair Exhibits or the Manila F.A.M.E. Trade Fair Exhibits where you can view the very best product exhibitions and buy in bulk or in pieces. The expo have a large participant of individual companies in the Handicraft Industry from all over the Philippines. The photo in the left side is the famous capiz chandelier and other photos can be viewed below.

Interior showcases can vary from these styles as shown and many companies can take special orders. A very elegant setting with a touch of native handicraft craftsmanship. Most companies also can assist any traveler in packaging and shipping on any of these items.

From home interiors to bits in pieces of native arts craft, these are the best value money can buy for souvenirs, for gifts or personal use. Materials used vary on each item. The most common are sasa leaves, nipa, rattan and coconut leaves and are inter woven and crafted to the finest perfection. At left are some examples of finished handcrafted products from table mats, bowl and fan.

So for travelers, balikbayans and fellow kababayans, don’t miss out these wonderful products that you can find only in the Philippines.

Tags: capiz, coconut, handicrafts, rattan

In our previous articles we’ve discussed places and some exciting travel destinations. Right now we would like to introduce to our traveling visitors some of our local delicacies and to the Balikbayans as well.

Most travelers to the Philippines don’t quite understand and have no idea of what to eat or dine when in the Philippines. Our native food and delicacies are no such different from Asian, Western and European gourmet. A little from here, there and everywhere combined with our own ingenuity, are so rich and colorful with such a flavorful taste. What we will recommend are the top local foods anyone should not miss when in the Philippines. Native restaurants are abundant in Metro Manila. Our preferred choices are Barrio Fiesta and Kamayan, known and established native restaurants with good ambiance, value, service and tasty foods. So besides rice as being the staple food, below are the main dishes with their respective photos and descriptions. We’ll start with the drink and an appetizer to complete either your lunch or dinner.

Gulaman and Sago

When you go native, this the best drink you’ll ever have. Forget about Diet Coke or Iced Tea. A combination of Gulaman (Gelatin) and Sago (Tapioca), with a sweet taste from sugar cane or brown sugar topped with shaved ice, will have you want for more.

Lumpiang Shanghai

Most commonly known in the western part of the world as Spring Rolls. This dish is derived from Chinese cooking and modified to taste for the local population with our own spices and herbs. Grinded pork meat wrapped around in thin flour wrapper, deep fried and sliced into bite sizes. This could also be a main dish but we prefer it to be an appetizer.

Atsara

This is a great side for the Lumpiang Shanghai as a pickled appetizer. Derived from raw papaya, atsara, has a sweet and sour taste with a flavorful of added locally prepared spice.

Kare-Kare

This mouthwatering main dish is one of our country’s top native food. Cooked with peanut sauce, it consists of ox tails, tripe and small intestines of beef while the vegetables consists of eggplants, pechay leaves, and sitaw (long string beans). This is served in a native bowl which is called palayok. As a side flavoring, shrimp paste or bagoong comes with this native main dish.

Crispy Pata

Number 2 Rule is never order a Kare-Kare without the Crispy Pata. I really don’t know why this combination goes with one another but it really taste that good. Crispy Pata is pork legs with the skin, boiled with flavors and deep fried for that crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. This served always with a side dipping sauce made up of soy sauce and vinegar with spices.

Escabecheng Lapu Lapu

For fish lovers you could order this as well. The lapu-lapu is one of the most expensive tropical fish in the Philippines that is similar to a Red Snapper. The fish is prepared and very lightly rolled on flour then deep fried for that added crunch and flavor. The toppings are made up of sweet and sour sauce, celery, onions, scallions, carrots, garlic, ginger, green and red peppers for that added flavor.

Sapin-Sapin

Finally, if you love desserts at the end of the meal, we recommend sapin-sapin. A colorful combination that is made up of what we call locally as “malagkit” or sweet rice grinded in to flour like powder and prepared specially with a sweet taste for that unforgettable dessert.

The recommended meal usually runs from $50-$80 or less for 4 people. Taxes and VAT will be included in your bill and don’t forget to tip the servers. Till next time on Going Native and we’ll bring you more.

Tags: Cooking Pinoy, Philippine Delicacies, Philippine Foods, Philippine Native Foods