Over the weekend, I was in Zamboanga del Norte for 30 hours. The free time I had was spent travelling from points A to B to C to D to B to A, eating Filipino and Japanese food, taking photos of TR, sleeping, showering, and staying inside Dipolog Airport. I was inside the airport for three hours because of force majeure. However, that was a blessing in disguise since it gave me the opportunity to buy pasalubong from Dipolog City and from the neighboring Dapitan City by climbing up the stairs that led to the second floor of the waiting area.
*Here are the pasalubong I bought from Dipolog City and Dapitan City:
Montaño’s Banana Chips Sugar-Free, 150 grams, P65.00 (US $1.22) and Montaño’s Banana Chips, 150 grams, P50.00 (US $0.94).
Montaño’s Banana Chips, 150 grams, P50.00 (US $0.94). The banana chips are neither too thick nor too thin. The sugar coating is not too sweet and the banana flavor is still detectable. I ate 1/3 of a pack in one sitting. Montaño’s Banana Chips Address: Turno, Dipolog City. Phone Number: (065) 212 2737. Email Address: sardines_mfc@yahoo.com.
Home of the Great Taste Dapitan’s Delicacy Leylah’s Special Tinagaktak, P180.00 (US $3.38). This box has 10 rolls of tinagaktak. Tinagaktak is a very thin funnel cake made of rice and sugar. I had my first taste of tinagaktak when I visited Marawi earlier this year. I cannot remember where I had it (I went to 6 provinces and most of the time I could not remember where I was), but the version I ate was thicker, bigger, and sweeter. Its sugar was darker and more pronounced and the rice part crumbled less. I had three of those before I had my meal and I asked our host what it was but I did not remember the name. When I saw this at the airport, I knew I had to buy it.
Dapitan’s Cassava Chips Original Flavor, 80 grams, P35.00 (US $0.66). This is a product of Cassava Growers and Processors Association – Dapitan City. I have not tasted this yet.
Highness’ Cassava Chips Fortified with Squash and Moringa, 100 grams, P65.00 (US $1.22). I have to admit that bought this mainly due to its packaging. I have been telling someone I know that many of Philippine made products I buy have less than desirable packaging and labeling. This one passed my visual test, so I bought 10 bags of this brand. It did not have a dominant taste, it was like eating sawdust – but in a good way. I cannot explain it, but it was not awful. It actually tasted healthy. ☺ Highness Food Product Address: LSDEC, Galas, Dipolog City. Highness Food Product Contact Numbers: (063) 923 657 7193 and (065) 212 5017. Highness Food Product Email Address: hfpdipolog@gmail.com
*Exchange Rate: US $1 = P53.30