FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

A road and food trip a few months back ended in a simple but delicious treat in the town of Oton. Right beside the town market is an assuming bakery that also serves quick orders of pancit - bihon, guisado and lom i, among others. Owned by  Mr. Wilson Esperancilla , the bakeshop has a typical bakery ambiance - lots of goodies and people comes in droves to buy them. Their pancit lomi is a best seller and I enjoyed every spoonful of it. From the thick and flavourful sabaw to the the thin (in contrast to the thick ones usually used) noodles plus the meats and toppings, it was one delicious treat - all in a bowl. Doubled with one of the best tasting pan de sals I've had recently, it was surely a perfect food trip to end our road trip. Bon voyage meets bon apetit!

The first two months of the new year always bring in the cool weather. Cold night breeze yet even cooler mornings, one can always wish for this weather to last year round. But as time flies, one might not even realize, summer is just around the corner. So goodbye to Mother Nature’s cool cuddle and welcome her warm embrace – it’s summertime! It’s synonymous vacation and travel, beaches and more travel. It also means cool eats – halo-halo, ice cream, cool drinks and fruits. Among the fruits of summer, watermelon and mango tops the list. Iloilo is fortunate enough to have abundant sources of the two fruits that when summertime comes, it comes in great quantity and best quality at the bargain of prices. Here’s a feature on a national daily, The Manila Bulletin , how one Iloilo town supplies a large chunk of the country’s watermelon demand during this season. Oton: The country's Watermelon town By ZAC B. SARIAN | Manila Bulletin January 7, 2011, 10:21pm MANILA, Philippi...

Nestled amidst the lush greeneries of Brgy. Buray in the town of Oton, Iloilo is a seafood destination of international calibre. Serving the freshest seafood and other dishes prepared to a gourmet’s delight is the newly opened Ayanna Garden Restaurant at the Sheridan Boutique Resort . Named after a flower, this seafood haven will surely entice the discerning palates of the Ilonggos, Ayanna brings to your plate an array of delicately prepared dishes that will surely capture that foodie in you, as it did in my case. I was invited by Chef Miner del Mundo , consultant of the modern seafood cuisine restaurant, to a dinner that showcased the best Ayanna can offer. And even before our food arrived or even took our seats, I was already impressed with the restaurant and the resort. See more Sheridan Boutque Resort photos .   I couldn’t help myself but ogle and feel the Zen-like ambiance of the Asian-inspired interiors perfectly blending the exteriors. A pathway lined with...