A perfect ending to a sumptuous meal at Jo's Chicken Inato is their "gourmet" version of this Pinoy smorgasbord dessert. Aptly called Buko Halo, it comes in a coconut shell with all the coco meat mixed with all the ingredients like saba, kamote, gelatin, ube halaya, rice crispies, ripe jackfruit, milk and their home-made ice cream. The sugar comes separate, which I like since, I'd always request not to have one in other restos. This big serving of buko halo costs PhP75 (if my memory serves me right) but the taste memories it bring back - the college years where it become out sort of hang-out, is priceless!
It's not Catbalogan nor Katagalugan, it's CA-TA-LU-GAN, Catalugan. I also had the same problem when I was a kid when reading and remembering the name of this bread. But the many years of enjoying this specialty from Tibiao Bakery, I think I have it in me. So what is catalugan? It's basically a filled bread and like what you see, it has more filling that the "bread" itself. Tibiao Bakery makes the more "high end" catalugan as they are big, individually wrapped and deliciously addicting. Smaller bakeshops also make catalugan but its just the regular "one of those" breads. But this one from Tibiao is worth every "bit and morsel". For around 12 each (few years back it was only PhP 10), this bite size bread is heavy as the filling is a compact and flavouful blend of "secrets" for this one had no ingredients listed on its packaging. So I can only assume what they are everytime I am ...
