FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

With the formal launching of The Terraza at Camiña Balay nga Bato in Guimaras , Springbloom Farms can now showcase its various produce through its Farm-to-Plate Culinary Experience. Inspired by the  Farm-to-table (or farm-to-fork ) movement, this kind of gastronomy refers to the stages of the production of food: harvesting, storage, processing, packaging, sales, and consumption .  It also refers to  producing food locally and delivering that food to local consumers. Linked to the local food movement, the Farm-to-Table is promoted by some in the agriculture, food service, and restaurant communities. It may also be associated with organic farming initiatives, sustainable agriculture, and community-supported agriculture. (from Wikipedia ) Springbloom Farms in Sibunag, Guimaras commercially produce red lady papaya, bananas and pineapple, among others. On a smaller scale, they also have cashew, calamansi, rootcrops, native fruits and assorted vegetable produce. ...

Our very gracious hosts a few Sundays ago were the Camiñas - Sir Gerard and Ms. Luth who   welcomed us to their home in Guimaras - the Balay nga Kawayan .   The power couple also owns the among the top tourist destinations in Iloilo now, the Camiña Balay nga Bato famous for its delectable tsokolate.  The Camiña Balay nga Kawayan is around 17 kilometers from the Jordan Wharf and set amidst the sprawling   Springbloom Farm . From the abode, guests see a vast pineapple plantation nicknamed Pineapple Ridge (thanks Sir Eugene) on one side and a native papaya orchard down below. The pineapples will be ready for harvest by November and the papayas were all bearing fruit – so many that it weighs down the tree. The house overlooks Lawi Bay and offers a breathtaking view anytime of the day. It is also almost al fresco and the air smells sweet because of the produce around. But guests can go further and find a viewdeck which gives a closer look at the ba...

Lunch was so wonderful today as I had it across the sea on the island that fits our taste - Guimaras. About 17 kilometers away, (from the Jordan wharf?) is the Camiña Balay nga Kawayan inside the Springbloom Farms in Sibunag. Our hosts prepared a simple yet very delectable fare that includes this "hot off the grill" bino-ug nga baboy .  Bino-ug is a vernacular term for grilling over charcoal that results into a crisp outside and juicy inside inside as the high heat cooks the outside faster than the inside. This is the specialty of the house which will soon be opened to the public showcasing its acres of pineapple and papaya farm, among others. We arrived today just in time as these pork were on the "grill" and just the aroma alone made my hungrier than I was. Its the kind of grilled pork I prefer - just seasoned with salt and grilled. Then it's up to the sawsawan to make it even more delicious. But I didn't bother to dipped it as it was very tasty...