By Pinky Concha Colmenares
The small town series initiated by Chris Datol and Johannes Chua always turns out to be a weekend of discovery to all of us. The things we learned have been interesting bits of history, leisure, food, and culture. We now truly believe that there is no town not worth a stop in the long tourism highway.
Did you know, for example, that Binalonan in Pangasinan has the first aviation school in North Luzon – which was established by the vice mayor? (Read “Flying high”.) And did you know that Binalonan is preparing to be the next university town – with the many schools that are located there? (Read: “The next university town.”)
If you are like most travelers who know Binalonan only as a landmark on your way to Manaoag or Baguio – you must have missed those milestones that the small town has etched. By the way, Binalonan is also the source of the very popular local chichiria – the Korniks – and the deliciously-sour Sukang Iloco. The town is also the biggest poultry raiser in Luzon – so that’s probably where the chicken on your table comes from. (Read “Binalonan’s agri-business industries”.)
The source of local foodstuff is always an interesting find when the boys go out to find a story. In this issue, Chris discovered that the Pinoy classic halo-halo started from a kitchen in Barangay Digman in Bacoor, Cavite. (Read “Bacoor’s dessert delight.’) Also, Chris discovered that now cooking in Bacoor is a quaint snack-food – the Tahong Chips yes, from the mussel shell – which is a new product being produced by an enterprising housewife. (Read “Seafood delicacy goes crunchy”.)
Meanwhile, a few kilometers away, in Paraiiaque, they found the beginnings of the popular rice cakes like suman, pinipig with latik, sapinsapin, which spurred an industry. The best trivia they stumbled upon was the Pinoy classic breakfast known as Tapsilog (tapa, fried rice and egg) was invented by a certain Maty Salazar of Brgy. Don Galo, Paraiiaque. The term “tapsilog” was even coined by comedians Tito, Vic and Joey. (Read “Parañaque’s delights.)
But what was most interesting was the location of Parañaque’s city hall. Chris and Johannes usually expect to find that in the middle ofthe businessdistrict, but in Parañaque, they found the city hall inthe middle of a neighborhood. The reason: Parañaque has the most number of gated communities in Metro Manila, so a former mayor thought it best to locate the local government unit in the middle of a community. (Read “A city for communities”.)
In five years, Paraiiaque will become the entertainment capital of Luzon. That is where Entertainment City will rise on a 120-hectare property now being developed by Pagcor. When completed, the new city will offer the Pinoy version of Universal Studios, Disneyland and a smaller Las Vegas. (Read “Game for tourism“.)
Another piece of info that has a story in this issue: the first Formula One night race in Singapore.
If you’re a motorsports fan, it may not be too soon to plan on making the F1 night race your holiday stop next year. (Read “Next stop, F1!”)
For now, with the holidays coming, you can think about making the Mall of Asia your destination one of these weekends. The Ice Skating Rink is dressed up for a New York Christmas – complete with snow showers that will make you almost forget that it’s hot outside the mall! (Read “Snow on Ice“.) Have a pleasant journey to discover new trivia.
