TH1706

Features
The Bicol Region or Region V is made up of the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte,
Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. The region’s cuisine is known for the heavy use of coconut milk, chilies,
and taro (Barretto, et al., 2008).
• Albay is bordered by Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. The east and west coasts
of Albay is rich in marine life. Mayon Volcano is located in this province. (Philippine Information
Agency, n.d.)
• Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur were known as Ambos Camarines before they were separated.
They are found on the northern part of the Bicol peninsula. (Philippine Information Agency, n.d.)
• Catanduanes is the 12th largest island in the Philippines. It is located on the easternmost part of the
Bicol peninsula. Being surrounded by sea, this region is abundant with sea creatures for people to eat.
Bicolanos cook the seafood with coconut milk and chilies. (Philippine Information Agency, n.d.)
• Masbate is centrally located in the Philippine archipelago, making it the gateway of Bicol region to the
Visayas and Mindanao Islands. What separates Masbate dishes to other Bicol provinces is the aroma;
they use tanglad (lemongrass) and sangig (local basil) in their cooking. (City of Masbate, n.d.)
• Sorsogon is located on the southernmost tip of Luzon mainland. During the Spanish colonization,
Sorsogon was a part of the province of Albay. (Philippine Information Agency, n.d.)

Distinct Food Products

Albay
• Ukoy – This is known as fish fritters. The local fish used for ukoy is called sinarapan.
• Pinangat – It contains pork, shrimp, or crab meat mixed with chilies and coconut meat, wrapped in
taro leaves then boiled in coconut milk.
Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur
• Laing – It is similar to pinangat. But instead of using the taro leaves as a wrapper, they are chopped.
• Kinunot – This dish is made with shark or stingray cooked in coconut milk, chilies, and moringa
(malunggay) leaves. Other fish may be used.
• Pansit Bato – This is a noodle dish named after the town of Bato, Camarines Sur. The yellow noodles
are made from eggs and flour and are flat and wider than Cantonese noodles.
• Gulay na Lada – This dish is made with vegetables stewed in chilies and coconut milk and is cooked
with pork. It is commonly known outside of Bicol as “Bicol express.”
Masbate
• Pansit Buko – This is a noodle dish, although shredded young coconut is used as noodles instead.
• Dinuguan – This is blood stew. Masbate cooks add coconut milk to make the sauce creamy.
Sorsogon
• Conserva – It is a pili nut covered in panutsa (brown sugar caramel) then wrapped on a leaf.
• Kurakding – It is a type of mushroom that is cooked in coconut milk and shrimp paste.

References:
Alejandro, R., Fernandez, D. G., Alvina, C. S., & Reyes, M. (2012). Authentic Recipes from the Philippines. Singapore: Periplus Editions.
Barretto, G. R., Calalang, C., Fores, M., Segismundo, M., Sincioco, J., & Tayag, C. (2008). Kulinarya: A Guidebook to Philippine Cusisine. Pasig City, PH: Anvil.
City of Masbate. (n.d.). The City. Retrieved from City of Masbate Official Website: http://masbatecity.gov.ph/about-us/the-city/
Fenix, M. (2014). Country Cooking: Philippine Regional Cuisines. Pasig City, PH: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
Philippine Information Agency. (n.d.). Provinces. Retrieved from Philippine Information Agency: https://pia.gov.ph/provinces
Sta Maria, F. P. (2016). What kids should know about Filipino food. Diliman, QC: Adarna House.

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