Late dinner of fresh rolls and bun cha! From Em Ha Noi, which just found out was selected for the Michelin Guide. It's okay but they sorely lack basil and other herbs.
The community reception to close the exhibit "Haggiyo, Huwah! A Living Heritage of the Tuwali Ifugao of Hungduan, An Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" at the NCCA Gallery. Graced by community members and Huwah practitioners from Hungduan, Ifugao.
Another development in my journey on tamales, the Filipino version of the Mexican tamale. First time tasting tamales from Balayan, Batangas, from Ate Lidia's Special Tamales, which has a booth at the 2025 NACF. Lidia Balbino Javier started selling her tamales in 1960
Another development in my journey on tamales, the Filipino version of the Mexican tamale. First time tasting tamales from Balayan, Batangas, from Ate Lidia's Special Tamales, which has booth at the 2025 NACF. Lidia Balbino Javier started selling her tamales in 1960 and it has become a favorite.
Catching up with the John Iremil. Managed to snatch some time despite the hectic schedule to celebrate his new book, "Mga Bulawan nga Bulak/Golden Showers: A Collection of Poems About Thailand," and to get updated on each other's lives and dreams. Padayon, John.
The t'nalak is the hand-woven, ikat-dyed abaca textile of the Tboli people of South Cotabato. This one is woven by Manlilikha ng Bayan Barbara Ofong from Lake Sebu, and then made into a ye kumu, literally meaning "mother blanket,"
A participant showing a piece textile with bulda manis or decorative embroidery made by the Sama people of Simunul Island in Tawi-Tawi. The bulda manis is also used in bedsheets pillowcases, dress, etc. The Bulda Manis Producers Cooperative has a booth at the ongoing National Arts and Crafts Fair.
Having atsarang ampalaya (pickled bityer gourd), which I stumbled upon after a long while. This one made in Pilar, Bataan. Clean sweet-sour and vegetal taste with hint of bitterness. But got to customize this with spices.
The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan is the Philippines' highest honor for traditional and indigenous artisans, artists and practitioners. An exhibit on the honorees is a highlight at the 2025 National Arts and Crafts Fair as well as booths offering their and their communities' works and products.
Drop by NCCA Gallery in Intramuros for the exhibit, "Haggi̱yo, Huwah! A Living Heritage of the Tuwali Ifugao of Hungduan, An Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," which features my photographs and short documentary I wrote and directed.
Embroidered textiles in different stages of completion by embroiderers of Lemery, just beside and just like Taal, where the traditional practice of hand embroidery continues in some barangays.
A stretch of piña-seda is fastened into the bastidor, becoming a tambol. its penciled designs waiting to be brought to life with needle and thread. In Lemery, just beside and just like Taal, the tradition of hand embroidery continues in some barangays.
Hand embroidery in Taal, Lemery and Calaca starts with tracing designs on the textile with a pencil. The designs ordinarily depict flowers, leaves and different shapes, passed around among the embroiderers. Clients also bring their own designs.
Hand embroidery is one of the heritage crafts of Taal. In Batangas, the practice is concentrated in the towns of Taal, Lemery and Calaca. Taal is known for the openwork embroidery locally called calado.
Hand embroidery is one of the heritage crafts of Taal. In Batangas, the practice is concentrated in the towns of Taal, Lemery and Calaca. Taal is known for the openwork embroidery lically called calado.
Finally got to taste the Taal version of the tamales, the Filipino version of the Mexican tamale, using rice instead of maize. Had a difficult time buying them. They are sold in the market but they are sold out by midmorning. This time, the barangay of Cawit served it as meryenda. To my delight.
A dinner of Taal specialties: the adobong manok sa dilaw or chicken adobo in turmeric. Other adobo varieties here are adobo sa asin or adobo using salt and adobo sa puti, which uses only vinegar.
