There is more to Filipino food than adobo and sisig.

Each province in the Philippines specializes in

different cuisine, and there will always be dozens of dishes to try. The Bicol region is just one of
many places where you can try authentic Filipino food. Bicolanos love to cook and eat so it’s not
surprising why they have such tasty food. Read on for five food specialties in Bicol. Prepare a tall
glass of milk because these dishes pack a spicy punch! 

Need a place to stay after your food trip? For Albay hotels, browse here on TravelBook.ph. 

Laing
This dish really appeals to vegetarians and vegans alike. It is made from taro leaves simmered in
coconut milk and served with hot chili peppers.  The dish can be cooked in a variety of ways and is
very common in carinderiasand cafeterias in the region, even in Manila, although the city version
may not be as spicy. To get a taste of authentic laing, visit Bicol.

Bicol Express
Bicol Express is probably the most popular Bicolano dish. The story goes that the dish gets its name
from a passenger train from Manila to Bicol. After you eat the dish, you’ll be running to find anything
to quench the fire on your tongue. Like most Bicolano dishes, it is made of coconut milk and chili
peppers but with cooked pork as the main ingredient. 

Ginataang Labong
Ginataang labong is a simple dish made from chopped bamboo shoots simmered in coconut milk
with some shrimp paste or fresh shrimps and chili peppers. This dish is refreshing and hot at the
same time, thanks to the combination of bamboo shoots and peppers. It’s another healthy dish if you
are not a fan of red meat. 

Sinapot
Sinapot is a fried banana desert that is in some ways similar to turon.  It is made from Saba or
Cardaba banana. The fruit is peeled then sliced horizontally before being mixed in a batter
consisting of flour and eggs.  After being deep fried, it is ready to be served. 

Ginataang Santol
Most Bicolano dishes make use of coconut milk, a famous product in the region. One
popular ginataang dish (a dish cooked in coconut milk) is ginataang santol. This sour fruit mixed with
spicy chili peppers creates a unique flavor, which is made even more special, thanks to the silky
coconut milk. 

Bicol – Region V

So now for the finale we come to the balmy but at times wind-tossed region of Bicol or
Bicolandia, which includes an island province clearly belonging to the Visayas.

It occupies the Bicol Peninsula at the southeastern end of Luzon island and some other
islands.It now consists of six provinces, namely, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,
Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. It has one independent component city, Naga City, and
six component cities, Iriga, Legazpi, Ligao, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Tabaco.
DILIS SINUWAAN

12 gabi leaves
3/10 kilo fresh dilis
6 pieces green pepper, cut into strips
2/3 cup pure coconut milk diluted with 1-2/3 cups water
3 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 small piece crushed ginger

Wrap 2 tablespoons dilis in gabi leaves. Follow the same procedure with the rest of the dilis. Tie
the remaining leaves in knots and line them in the bottom of a cooking pan. Add pepper,
coconut milk, vinegar, salt and ginger. Place the wrapped dilis on top and let boil for 45 minutes.
Six servings.

PINANGAT NA GABI

24 gabi leaves and stems

¼ kilo cooked pork cut into small cubes
½ cub boiled and flaked dried fish
½ cup bagoong alamang
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
2 pieces siling labuyo, crushed
2/3 cup finely cut green onion
1-1/2 cups pure coconut milk
1-1/2 cups coconut milk (2nd extraction)

Pile four leaves together and put 3 tablespoons of the mixture in center. Wrap and tie with string
or strips of banana leaf. Repeat the same procedure with the rest of the ingredients. Arrange in
a kettle together with the stems and pour the second extraction of coconut milk. Season with the
remaining bagoong. Add 1 teaspoon ginger. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours. Six
servings.
KALINGKING

7/10 kilo yellow kamote, peeled

½ cup brown sugar
3 cups rice flour
1 cup water
1-1/2 cups coconut oil for deep frying

Cut the kamote into strips. Add the sugar and flour to the water and stir until well blended.
Combine kamote strips with the flour mixture and mix well with a spoon until well coated. Heat
coconut oil in a frying pan. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of kamote and flour mixture into a
saucer. Pat to flatten, then from saucer slip into hot cooking oil. Fry until golden brown. Six
servings.

IRAID

1-1/2 cups grated kamoteng-kahoy

1-1/2 cups grated yellow kamote
1-4 cup coconut milk, 1st extraction
7 tablespoons brown sugar
Banana leaves for wrapping

Squeeze the grated kamoteng-kahoy and yellow kamote to extract some of the juice. Add the
extract to the coconut milk, then the brown sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Mix the
kamoteng-kahoy and yellow kamote very well and combine with the coconut mixture. Wrap 3
tablespoons of this mixture in a piece of banana leaf (8” x 5”) which has been wilted over an
open flame. Tie in pairs and steam for 30 minutes. Allow to cool and serve.

SINANGLAY

3 medium tomatoes, sliced

6 segments garlic, minced
1 onion, sliced
1 small piece singer, crushed
2 cups coconut milk
2 teaspoons salt
3 medium tilapia or martiniko, cleaned and cut through the back
6 petsay leaves, big

Mix tomatoes, garlic, onion and ginger with coconut milk. Season with salt. Lay tilapia on top of
2 petsay leaves. Season with 2 tablespoons of coco-milk mixture and fold over. Arrange by
layers on a sauce-pan. Cover with the remaining coconut milk mixture. Cook over medium heat
for 10 minutes. Six servings.

KANDINGA
½ cup sliced lungs
½ cup sliced liver
½ cup sliced heart
½ cup water
2 tablespoons lard
6 segments garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
½ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon toyo
I teaspoon “paminton”
¼ cup green pepper strips
¼ cup red pepper strips

Boil the first 3 ingredients in water for 5 minutes. Cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Set aside
to cool and chop fine. Sauté garlic and onion. Cook 2 minutes and mix lungs, liver and heart.
Add salt, vinegar, toyo, “paminton”, red and green peppers. Cove and cook for 5 minutes. Six
servings.

BAGISARA

2 tablespoons lard
4 segments garlic, minced
1medium onion, sliced
1 small piece ginger, crushed
2 cups rice washing
1 cup cubed kalabasa
2 cups shelled tulya
1 cup cut kangkong
2 teaspoons salt
6 pieces kalamansi
Patis

Sauté garlic, onion, and ginger. Add rice washing. Cover and let boil. Add kalabasa and cook for
5 minutes. Add tulya and kangkong and cook 5 minutes longer. Season with salt. Serve with
patis and kalamansi. Six servings.

GULAY NA MALUNGGAY

½ cup pure coconut milk, diluted with ½ cup water

1 cup flaked tulingan, tinapa
1 segment garlic, minced
1 small onion, sliced
1/8 cup bagoong alamang
2 cups malunggay leaves
3 long green peppers cuts in strips

Boil coconut milk, flaked tinapa, garlic and onion for 10 minutes. Season with bagoong and
continue stirring. Add malunggay leaves and strips of green pepper. Cook 5 minutes longer.
Serve hot. Six servings.

Bicol Region (Region 5)

The Bicol Region is one of the 17 Regions of the Philippines, designated as Region V. Bicol (also spelled Bikol)
comprises four provinces in the Bicol Peninsula: the southeastern end of Luzon island, and two island-provinces
adjacent to the peninsula, namely: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,
Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. The regional capital, political/administrative center, and largest city is
Legazpi Legazpi City is also considered as the center of tourism, education, health services, commerce[5] and
transportation in the Bicol Region.

Bicol Region (Region 5) Geography

The Bicol Region is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon Island, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago.
The total land area of the region is derived from the summation of provincial areas from the table below which or
5.9% of the total land area of the country. Around 69.3% of the total land area is alienable and disposable while the
remaining 30.7% is public forest areas."Overview of Bicol Region". Department of Agriculture Web Site; retrieved 22
May 2012.

The region is bounded by Lamon Bay to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, and Sibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf to the
west. The northernmost province, Camarines Norte, is bordered to the north by the province of Quezon, connecting
the region to the rest of Luzon.

Bicol Region (Region 5) Political division

The region is composed of six provinces: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and the island-
provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate. It has one independent component city, Naga City, and six component cities
— Iriga, Legazpi, Ligao, Masbate City, Sorsogon City, and Tabaco City. Masbate and Sorsogon are cities in their
eponymous provinces. As of 2010, Camarines Sur is the largest province in area and population, occupying 5,481.6
km2 (2,116.5 sq mi) or around 30.4% of the total land area with a population of 1,822,371. Catanduanes is the
smallest in area as well as population with only 1,511.5 km2 (583.6 sq mi) or 8.4% of the total regional area and a
population of 246,300.

The administrative center of the region is Legazpi

Bicol Region (Region 5) Festivals

Coron Festival
A showcase of events highlighted by a street presentation participated in by the town’s different public and private
schools and sectors gives a week of fun and merriment to visitors and locals. Held every third week of August in Tiwi,
the religious package of devotion and prayer in honor of Albay’s patroness, Nuestra Señora de Salvacion (Our Lady
of Salvation), is the peak event of the festival, colorfully drawing thousands of devotees and religious groups through
a long maritime procession of different local sea vessels on the sea spray of the serene Pacific Ocean going to the
quiet barangay of Joroan, the home of the miraculous image.

Ibalong Festival
Is a non-religious festival in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines and is held during August.

Kadagatan Festival
Formerly called the Bancathon race, the festival is a water sport activity participated in by fishermen from the different
municipalities of Albay aimed to give recognition and at the same time provide a venue to the fishermen to show their
strength, skills, and contributions to the socio-economic development of the region. Held in Bacacay every black
Saturday.

Kamundagan Festival
Naga City celebrates the Kamundagan Festival every Christmas time. It begins with the lighting of the Christmas
Village in the Plaza Quezon Grandstand. After the lighting of the Christmas Village, six locally handmaid stars, known
locally as parols are lighted with different meanings. Love, progress, peace, happiness, prosperity, and joy symbolize
the stars. The giant Christmas tree is lighted 2 weeks before Christmas. Every night, different fantasy-themed
Christmas shows are held in the Plaza Quezon. A Grand Christmas Bazaar is also held near the Cathedral, exhibiting
different talents in Magic, Trickery, Beauty, and Brains. The Bazaar also has some stores that sell locally made
Christmas themed products for visitor.

Katalingkasan Festival
The festivity retraces the valiant story of the virgins of the town who worked hard in making Libon as one of the
earliest settlements in Albay. Featured activities are trade fairs, shows, and street dancing. Held every second week
of July.

Kinalas Festival
Naga City celebrates Kinalas Festival during its yearly anniversary of Chartership or Cityhood. It honors the most
famous local delicacies, the Kinalas, and Siling Labuyo, with it having a food contest. Also known as Charter Day
Festival, different organizations and schools, compete in Sports and Academics, as sponsored by the local
government.

Magayon Festival
In admiration of the Majestic Mayon’s beauty and splendor, this festival is dubbed as Magayon, a Bikol term which
means beautiful

Our Lady of Peñafrancia Festival

The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol
Philippines. All roads and routes will lead to Naga City in Camarines Sur where six million Bicolanos from here and
abroad will flock to that progressive city to pay honor to the Virgin of Peñafrancia, miraculous patroness of the Bicol
Region. Bicolanos from all walks of life will be in Naga City to meet their relatives and partidarios, share food, drinks,
and prayers with them, and most of all, to pay homage and make thanksgiving to the Virgin of Peñafrancia, whom the
Bicolanos fondly call Ina. Through the Franciscans, the annual feast of the Virgin of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of
Bicolandia, was instituted. Fr. Miguel Robles asked a local artist to carve a replica of the statue of the Virgin in
Salamanca; now, the statue is celebrated through an annual fluvial procession and regional feast in Naga City. The
Regional Civic Parade, Regional Military Parade are also held on the feast.

Pagsuwak Festival
The act of thanksgiving for Guinobatan’s growth, development, and progress, fitted in with the people’s gesture of
offering for the bountiful harvest. Held every 9th-15 August.

Rodeo Masbateño Festival

Is an annual event which takes place in Masbate City which showcases skills in livestock handling, such as lassoing,
wrestling, and riding cattle. Also included in the event are a fair and exhibitions and trade of cattle and horses. The
event has taken place every summer since 1993 in the province of Masbate, which is traditionally considered the
“Cattle Country of the Philippines.”

Salingoy Festival
Salingoy is a Bikol term that literally means looking back. A century of devotion (1901-2001) to one of Bacacay’s
patron saints, Nuestra Señora de los Samparados, Salingoy Festival came into being, a centennial commemoration
of unbroken reverence to God’s blessings and bounty. Salingoy looks back with humility by reminiscing into the
richness of fidelity to Our Lady (Holy Mother Mary) and to relive Bacacay’s historical, socio-cultural, and religious
heritage. Held every August 9 up to 15.

Sarung Banggi
An annual fun-filled eight-day summer festivity immortalizing the timeless love song Sarung Banggi, and a tribute to
its composer, Potenciano V. Gregorio. Held every 18th - 25 May in Sto. Domingo, the Sarung Banggi festival
showcases a variety of cultural and religious activities. The entire colorful performance is shown at nighttime when
the street parade routes are brightly lighted with large torches. The whole town becomes a true picture of rural life
with the multitude of people occupying the streets to watch and join the nighttime merriment.

Tinagbuan Festival
This festivity is in honor of the city’s patron saint, St. Stephen Protomartyr held every Christmas Day.
Tinagbuan, from the term tagbuan, which means converging point, is exactly the essence of this festival
as it enables Ligaoeños to come back to Ligao for a blessed reunion with their families and friends. The
festival’s highlight is the street dance presentation.

Welcome to Central Philippines... 

ANNOUNCEME
NT:
 
The Island-
Province of
Bohol has been
prominently
featured in the
December 2006
issue of the
prestigious
travel
publication- "IS
LANDS"
Magazine.....

Central Visayas, one of the regions of

the Philippines, is designated as Region VII. It is
part of the Visayas. It consists of four provinces,
namely, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental,
and Siquijor. The region demarcates the territory
occupied by the native speakers of Cebuano.
The regional capital is Cebu City.

POINTS OF
PROVINCE  TOWNS / CITIES
INTEREST 
 Cities
 Tagbilaran City

BOHOL  Municipalities
 
The 11th largest island in the  Alburquerq  Inabang
country... ue a
The "Chocolate Hills"
Bohol is an island province of  Alicia  Jagna
of Bohol 
the Philippines located in the Central
 Anda  Lila
Visayas region. Its capital
The Chocolate Hills are is Tagbilaran City. To the west of
considered one of  Antequera  Loay
Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the
Philippine's natural island of Leyteand to the south,  Baclayon  Loboc
wonders and Bohol is across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.
often referred to as  Balilihan  Loon
the Jewel of the
Philippines. They are hills The Boholanos refer to their island  Batuan  Mabini
made of limestone homeland as the 'Republic of Bohol'
leftover from coral reefs with both conviction and pride. A  Bien Unido  Mariboj
during the ice age when narrow strait separates the island of oc
Cebu and Bohol and both share a  Bilar
the island was  Panglao
submerged. They turn common language, but the
 Buenavista
brown during the Boholanos retain a conscious
 Pilar
summer, hence their distinction from the Cebuanos.  Calape
name.  Carlos
Bohol lies between the islands of  Candijay P.
Bohol is a popular tourist Cebu on the northwest, Leyte on the Garcia
northeast and Mindanao to the south.  Carmen
destination with its
 San
beaches and resorts.  Catigbian
The hills dominate the island of Isidro
The Chocolate Hills,
numerous mounds Bohol. Two ranges run roughly  Clarin
 Sagbaya
of limestone formations, parallel on the northwest and the n
southeast. An interior plateau is  Corella
is the most popular
attraction. The island of dominated by limestone hills. In  San
 Cortes
Panglao, located just Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, Miguel
southwest of Tagbilaran these hills form near perfect cones in  Dagohoy
City, is home to some of great numbers and are collectively  Sevilla
the finest beaches in the referred to as the Chocolate Hills.  Danao
 Sierra
country. The Philippine
 Dauis Bullones
Tarsier, considered by Bohol's climate is generally dry, with
some to be the maximum rainfall between the  Dimiao  Sikatuna
smallest primates, is months of June and October. The
indigenous to the island. interior is cooler than the coast.  Duero  Talibon

Most beaches are of  Garcia  Trinidad

Carlos P. Garcia, the country's
white sand. The sand is fourth president, was from Bohol. Hernandez
 Tubigon
often of such high quality  Getafe (Jeta
that it is exported to other   fe)  Ubay
beaches in the world. The
most well known of these  Valencia
beaches are  Guindulma
in Panglao Island, and n