Food tripping with Cebu Pacific

For many travelers, part of the joy of going on trips is getting to taste uniquely delicious food from the many places one visits. In the Philippines, particularly, there are many gustatory delights that await the adventurous foodie.

Fortunately, traveling throughout the country to sample various treats is no longer an expensive dream, thanks to the more affordable travel options provided by low-cost carriers like Cebu Pacific (CEB). The country’s leading airline and Asia’s third largest low-cost carrier, CEB offers more opportunities for travelers to explore the country’s culture through its diverse cuisine.

True Pinoy-style pasta
After indulging in the visual delight that is the Mayon Volcano, eating in Bicol, particularly in Legazpi, is guaranteed to be gastronomically unforgettable.

A well-known dish in the area is the savoury pinangat, gabi or taro leaves stuffed with shrimp or fish then cooked in gata (coconut milk) and spices. The combination is classic, but count on food-loving Bicolanos to come up with a new must-try, pinangat pasta.

Serving this is Small Talk Café at #51 Doña Aurora Street in Legazpi. The quaint establishment’s fusion food menu is topped by the popular dish that merges all the goodness of pinangat with the creaminess of pasta alfredo. The rich combination of salty and spicy flavors, with the soothing texture of cream, is a never-fail hit. The café also serves authentic adobong puti or adobo with gata.

Small Talk Café’s popular Pasta Pinangat dish is just one of the many gustatory attractions of Legazpi, Albay in Bicol.

Dessert-wise, Legazpi doesn’t fall short either. Head over to Colonial Grill on Albay Street for some unique ice cream variants such as the sili ice cream, malunggay ice cream and kalamansi ice cream.

Cebu Pacific flies to Legazpi thrice daily from Manila and thrice weekly from Cebu.

Sweet Visayan treats
With the increasing Cebu Pacific flights and frequencies to the Visayas, more travelers can now enjoy the many culinary charms of the region. Apart from classics like inasal and humba, the area offers sweet treats that are rich in taste but not high in price.

In Dumaguete and nearby Tagbilaran (Bohol) is a type of suman called budbod-kabog. Made of millet or birdseed, coconut milk and sugar, its taste has been described as subtle yet delicious, but it’s the texture that has earned this snack a lot of serious fans. Smooth and refined, every bite is said to melt in your mouth.

Beachgoers in Boracay may notice a tantalizing scent of citrus and butter in between stations one and two in the mornings. That would be the fault of Real Coffee, a homey establishment that boasts of what many call the second-best thing (aside from a tan) to take home from Boracay—the kalamansi muffins. Tangy, sweet and baked to moist perfection, each bite is pastry heaven.

Another popular foodie destination in the region is Iloilo. Located in Iloilo’s central night spot Smallville is Freska, a Filipino restaurant that boasts of butterscotch gelato served in a buko and with barquillos. If seafood and grilled food is on your main menu, there’s no better place for it than at seaside restaurants, the most highly recommended of which is Tatoy’s Manukan in Villa Arevalo. Among its house specialties are its lechon manok marinated in a secret sauce, chicken inasal, grilled seafood and pork dishes.

Want to take a trip to enjoy these yummy snacks and experience Visayan culture? Cebu Pacific flies to Dumaguete twice daily, to Tagbilaran twice daily, to Kalibo 58 times weekly, and to Iloilo six times daily.

What’s delectable in Davao?
Of course, Davao is synonymous to the polarizing taste and scent of durian. Travelers often joke that they know they’ve landed in the province because they can smell its pungent scent in the air. It’s no surprise because Davaoeños seem to flavor everything with durian, including pie and, yes, even their cappuccino.

On Iñigo Street is a family-owned shop that sells durian pie. To convince people of the fruit’s “heavenly” taste, the creators made this dessert with less of the smell, resulting in a creamy durian filling in a delicious crust.

For coffee with a true kick, namely durian-flavored cappuccino, there’s the Gatchpuccino from Blugre Coffee. For a taste of this unique concoction, visit its various branches like the one in Matina Town Square.

Flying to Davao to try these delicacies is easy and affordable with Cebu Pacific flights 40 times weekly.

Already strapped to your Cebu Pacific seat and waiting to land in your getaway? Pass the time by daydreaming about these little known delicacies you can soon enjoy.