Illustration by MONICA PANTALEON and MADEL CRUDO Size: 109,965 km2(42,458 sq mi) Population: 53,336,134 Major islands: Mindoro, Palawan, Masbate, Catanduanes, Busuanga, Marinduque, Romblon, Polillo, Burias, Ticao, Alabat, Sibuyan, Tablas, Culion, Balabac, Bugsuk, Dumaran. The island is covered by seven administrative regions, 30 provinces and, as of 2014, 68 cities (eight regions, 38 provinces and 71 cities if associated islands are included). Luzon is so big it is ranked as the world’s 15th largest island! It is the fourth most populous island in the world! It hosts 53 percent of the country’s population In the 1500s, people from Luzon were called Lucoes and were actively employed in trading, seafaring, and military campaigns across Southeast Asia. San Fernando, Philippines, is known as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” and is most famous for its parols (giant Christmas lanterns). Ten giant parols are produced each year to compete in the Ligligan Parul (Giant Lantern Festival). Each parol can cost up to $15,000 USD to build! LUZON There’s a lot and they’re all in my Linamnam book. For instance in Laoag, there’s Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant and Bar and La Preciosa; in Vigan Kusina Felicitas; Matutina’s Seafood Restaurant in Urdaneta; Heritage Mansion Buffet Restaurant & Cafe in Baguio; and Nay’s House in Tarlac City. For pasalubong, longganisas in Vigan, Alaminos, Baguio, Cabanatuan, Tuguegarao, and Lucban; dried fish in Agoo-Damortis (La Union) area; and pastillas de leche in Magalang (Pampanga), San Miguel (Bulacan), and Cabiao (Nueva Ecija). Chef Claude Tayag Bale Dutung (Angeles City)   I find the food at Grace Park comforting. For quick eats, I like Man Hann. I also love Toyo Eatery and Sarsa but only when I’m in the vicinity. When it comes to food, I love rice porridge like lugaw, goto, and arroz caldo. I love simple grilled fresh seafood or salt and pepper pork. Also, kare-kare is always a favorite and inabraw (boiled veggies with fried fish and bagoong isda like dinengdeng). I love my own stuff, I’d be happy to give granolas, pandelutong, and breads from Panadera Vizcaya for pasalubong. If I’m bringing pasalubong to relatives abroad, I buy HOP polvoron and Delimondo corned beef together with panadera products. Chef Jehan Damasco Mrs. Baker’s Restaurant and Pastry Shop, Panadera Vizcaya, Mrs. B’s Juice and Coffee Bar, and Baker’s Kaffe My favorite restaurant is Benjarong Thai restaurant at Dusit Thani Manila. If I have to pick a pasalubong, it would be kesong puti from Laguna. Chef Therese Jison Mother’s Garden (Baguio) Piccolo Padre of Chef Dan Guimpaolo, Mexican chicken in Korea Town (I’ve been eating their fried chicken for almost 12 years now), Mila’s Sisig (I always order the crispy ulo and the inihaw na tocino), Little Italy by Alex (a new pizzeria that has a legit two-day pizza dough). I buy the Spanish bread from LA Bakeshoppe. And there’s a little panaderia near Crossing that in my opinion makes the best cheese bread I’ve ever had! Kilayin made by my ate. I don’t eat it on the first day, I let it sit. The following morning, I sauté it with lots of garlic, and eat it with garlic rice and saging. Next would be my mom’s dinuguan na baka sa kamias, eaten with cold rice. Chef Bong Sagmit Pigs and Pints Gastropub and  BBQ&Co, Angeles, Pampanga   I love going to this carinderia across the street from the Bell Tower in Laoag. I got the inspiration for my SaRaKa roll from them. My family in Silang, Cavite loves the Ilocano Empanada. My favorite Ilocano food is the SaRaKa Roll, of course! I love the crunch and the bagoong-seasoned vegetable filling.  The SaRaKa roll is the lumpia version of the Ilocano dish, Dinengdeng. The Vista del Lago version is a crisp fried lumpia filled with Saluyot, Rabong, and Kalabasa. Chef Eric Asuncion Vista del Lago, Paoay Lake, Ilocos Norte Bonus: Halo-Halo de Iloko restaurant in San Fernando, La Union definitely has the best halo-halo: from presentation to the taste! Also try their sinampalukang manok and okoy. In Bicol, Siama Hotel in Sorsogon serves nice home-cooked meals (they only cook when there are guests, so it’s extra special), like my favorites pinangat, laing, and Bicol Express.—Chef JPAnglo

Kara Santos

Travel Up

Hometown: Naga, Camarines Sur

The best time to visit  If you want to go island-hopping to Caramoan, the summer months of March-May are the best time to go. The province has attractions you can visit all year around, including natural spots, parks, churches, and historical sites. If you visit during the rainy season, you can still try wakeboarding at CWC, go waterfall rappelling in Mt. Isarog, or relax at a hot spring in Panicuason. For festival-chasers, September is the best time to visit as this is when the Penafrancia Festival is celebrated. There are, however, also lots more tourists at this time, with hotels getting fully booked, so plan your trip wisely. Secret spots For nature lovers, there are some places off the beaten path that boast of beautiful waterfalls around the province of Camarines Sur, like Nalalata Falls in Bula and the waterfall circuit in Curry, Pili. There’s also the White Pebble beach in Minalabac. If you’re a beer-lover, be sure to check out Ibalon Craft Brew, the first craft beer place in Bicol, which just opened last December. You can try out the Sili Beer and Coffee Beer, along with hard-to-find local delicacies. Best place for a selfie  The most popular and accessible spot for a selfie that would represent the province of Camarines Sur would be Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC), a wakeboarding facility with lots of pools and water parks. Hometown pasalubong Pili-nut based products are the top souvenir items from Naga City. You can buy some unique products from J. Emannuel like Dark Chocolate with Roasted Pili Nuts, Pilinut Choco Kisses, Pili Topped Brownies, and Bombones de Pili.  

Melo Villareal

www.outoftownblog.com

Hometown: Tayabas, Quezon

Best time to visit Summer during Mayohan sa Tayabas Festival, a weeklong festivity that gives tribute to San Isidro with a procession reminiscent of the yearly Quiapo devotion to Jesus Nazareno. They clamor for suman and other pabitin as their sweat, strength, and rivalry pervade in the air. Impelled by their yearly panata or sacrificial devotion to San Isidro, they participate in Hagisan ng Suman, believing that the bounty gathered in their sacks heralds economic upliftment. It portends the amount of their next harvest or income for the year. Family time! Drop by the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. The church is the largest and the oldest in the whole province, built in the shape of a key. The church’s 103-meter (338-foot) aisle also has the longest nave among Spanish colonial era churches in the Philippines. Secret spots Tayabas has the most number of Spanish Colonial Bridges in the Philippines and one of them is considered the longest in the Philippines (Malagonlong Bridge). Best place for a selfie As a person who loves cultural and heritage sites, I believe it’s best to have a selfie or two in front of the Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel Hometown pasalubong If Lucban has longganisa, Tayabas is famous for Budin and yema cake. Budin is a round shaped cassava cake that is produced in an area called Calle Budin. One of the most popular products from Tayabas is Yema Cake. You can probably find yema cake in other parts of the Philippines but the one in Tayabas is definitely the first and original.

Vins Carlos

www.thepoortraveler.net

Hometown: Pampanga

Best time to visit December to February. Christmas in Pampanga is the best because of the giant lantern festivals, Christmas lights everywhere, and delicious kakanin. Plus the Hot Air Balloon Festival in February. Family time! Your family will love the ancient houses and old railway station of San Fernando, Pampanga, or Nayong Pilipino sa Clark. Or Pradera Wake Park in Prado Siongco, Lubao. There’s also the sandbox in Porac. Secret spots The interior of Betis Church in Guagua or SCTEX Sunrise drive Best place for a selfie While eating at Atching Lillian Borromeo’s house. Hometown pasalubong  Nathaniels Buko Pandan or Susie’s Moche!   Size: 71,503 km² Population: 19,373, 431 Major islands: Bohol. Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Panay. Samar Administratively, the Visayas is divided into three regions, namely Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas. The Visayas is composed of 16 provinces, each headed by a governor. The name Visayas was derived from the name of the seventh century Thalassocratic empire of Srivijaya in Sumatra. The archipelago of Visayas once were Hindu-Buddhist and were subject states of the empire. In the 12th century, the Visayans raided the southern coast of China. Visayans have a fearsome reputation! Malapascua Islands in Cebu is the only place in the world where you can dive with thresher sharks. The Monad Shoal serves as the sharks’ cleaning station where they remove parasites from their skin. Ferdinand Magellan landed on the island of Homonhon on March 16, 1521. Homonhon is now part of Samar. In the Visayas is a group of islands named Isla de Gigantes, which gets its name from the legendary coffins found in the area, purportedly containing bones of giants that grew to at least eight feet. VISAYAS The best inasal in Bacolod is Bernadette’s Manukan near SM Bacolod. But when you’re looking for batchoy, 21 Restaurant is the place to be. Also must-try is the lumpiang ubod of Emma Lacson’s Delicacies. In Iloilo, Breakthrough Restaurant has the freshest selection of seafood. While you’re in the city, get some bicho-bicho to take home. In Cebu, must-try is Rico’s Lechon because you can never go wrong with their lechon. Chef JP Anglo Sarsa I consider Bacolod as my second hometown because my wife Anya grew up there. I was introduced to Ilonggo food 14 years ago and I still crave for the flavors until now. I love Aida’s Inasal at Manokan Country in Bacolod and for pasalubong, it must be half-moon pastry at Pendy’s. Chef Kalel Chan Raintree Restaurants I love Breakthrough restaurant in Iloilo because I love fresh seafood. In Cebu, House of Lechon is a must-try. Best pasalubong from Cebu would be Titay’s Rosquillos. Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou Agos   There are so many favorites in Iloilo and  it depends on what I feel like eating. Tatoy’s for native chicken inasal, Breakthrough for Managat and their seafood dishes, Dova for innovative brunch dishes, St. Martha’s, which is a carinderia that serves typical Ilonggo lutong bahay dishes. I like to bring goodies from Panaderia Molo because they are traditional and timeless. I also bring the biscocho from Biscocho Haus, butterscotch from RJ’s, and of course the Queen Siopao from Roberto’s. Like all Ilonggos, I love the simple dishes: Laswa, adobo, monggo with gata, tapangkalabaw, ginataan na gabi with bagongon Chef Rafael Jardeleza Rafael’s Cocina del Sur, Iloilo

Estan Cabigas

Langyaw.com

Hometown: Cebu

The best time to visit  January during the Sinulog. Why? Because Cebu comes out to pay homage to its patron and to party! Family time!  The Mactan Shrine in Lapulapu City near the airport. We can be very hospitable but the Chieftain Lapulapu showed what happens to people with bad intentions. Seriously, it’s a good reminder of the bravery of pre-colonial Filipinos. Secret spots The Jesuit House of 1730. Probably the oldest existing house structure in the country that was built by the Jesuits as their mission house, it became a residence after their expulsion in 1768, then a cabaret later in the 19th century. It’s now an interesting museum inside an old Chinese hardware store. Best place for a selfie  If Buwakan ni Alejandra is too far for you, and Sirao Gardens too passé, Robinsons Galleria Cebu’s giant and colorful (plastic) flower covered guitar is the next best thing. Hometown pasalubong While you’ve stuffed yourself silly with Cebu’s famous lechon while visiting the city, bringing dried fish, especially danggit from Taboan Market, is a must.

Enrico Dee

Byahilo.com

Hometown: Bacolod, Negros Occidental

The best time to visit  Every October when Bacolod city celebrates the annual Masskara festival or every summer when the province of Negros Occidental holds the Panaad sa Negros. Family time!  Lakawon Island in the municipality of Cadiz. It’s a long stretch of white sandy beach in aquamarine waters. Seafood is fresh and abundant. Secret spot The Sugar Beach in Sipalay. It is a quiet town. Known as a diver’s paradise, it is teeming with marine life Best place for a selfie Ruins at Talisay Hometown pasalubong It would be its sweet treats. Negros is known as the sugar bowl of the Philippines and bringing home these goodies is a must.  Among them are piaya, barquillos, napoleons, and tasty tarts. Size: 97,530 km2 Population: 21,968,174 Major islands: Basilan, Jolo, Tawitawi, Bucas Grande, Dinagat, Siargao, Samal, Camiguin Mindanao is the world’s 19th biggest island, bigger than Netherlands and Austria. Mount Apo towers 2,954 meters above sea level and home to more than 250 birds, including the majestic Philippine eagle. It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 2009. The mountains in Mindanao are grouped into 10 mountain ranges. In Camiguin, there are more volcanoes (seven) than towns (five). There hasn’t been an eruption since the mid-1950s, but the island has the most number of volcanoes per square kilometer in the world. The collective group of indigenous tribes in Mindanao called Lumad is composed of Kamayo, Manobo, Tasaday, and T’boli. Mindanao is the eighth most populous island in the world. It is larger in size than 125 countries in the world. Among the three main islands, Mindanao is regarded as having the warmest temperature with an average of 29 Celsius during summer months. Mindanao is home to three sultanates: Maguindanao, Maranao, and Sulu. Ethnic lumad or ethnic tribal groupings comprise a sizeable portion of the population. Native ethnic groups in Mindanao include the Lumad (the Tausugs, Subanons, Samals, and Badjaos of the Zamboanga Peninsula; the Bukidnon, Manobos, Mamanwas, Talaandig, and Higaonon of Northern Mindanao and Caraga; and the Bagobo and Samal Mandayas of Davao, and the Moro (Paramata Bantogen, Mabaning Gandamatu, Daranda Mabagani, and Maranaw) in ARMM and Soccsksargen. Mindanao is considered the major breadbasket of the Philippines.]Eight of the top 10 agri-commodities exported from the Philippines come from the island. MINDANAO Aside from Marco Polo Davao’s Polo Bistro, I would recommend View Deck Café at Malagos Garden Resort where you can enjoy an award-winning chocolate and even get to buy some pasalubong at their retail store or try to make your own chocolate in the Chocolate Museum. Similar to our signature dish in Marco Polo Davao which is the baked BBQ baby back ribs, View Deck Café serves their humba with Malagos Chocolate—a pork dish prepared similarly to a savory adobo and glazed with rich chocolate which creates a balance of flavor. Chef Alex V. Destriza Polo Bistro / Café Marco of Marco Polo Davao   These restaurants serve food with simple flavors that you would want to eat again and again. In Cagayan de Oro my favorite restaurants are: Steve’s Barbecue ‘s chicken BBQ and chorizo; Tadakuma Japanese restaurant, must-try is the chirashi; Boy Zugba’s chicken inasal and cheesy chorizo; Grand Caprice Restaurant’s pata tim with fried bread; Dynasty’s shantung fried chicken, fried beehon noodles, and crab sotanghon hotpot; and Bigby’s Cafe’s kimmy chunky stew, grilled rodeo chops, and chix ahoy. In Davao City, Ahfat Seafoods Plaza and its steamed slipper lobsters with garlic. Also in Davao is Tiny Kitchen that serves chorizo and kaldereta. In Iligan City, must-tries are the eel tao-si, adobong bihod, bagaybay, and tuna steak of Tatay’s Grill and Seafood Haus. For pasalubong, Davao’s golden pomelo and Lola Abon’s durian candy; Maestrado tablea of Camiguin; CDO’s Country Fruits banana candy; and Iligan City’s Cheding’s Peanuts. Chef Joanna Lim-Yu Bigby’s Cafe My favorite restaurant is Luz Kinilaw Inihaw Place, which is one of Davao’s famous “ihaw-ihaw” restaurants and have become a must-visit dining spot for tourists. Its signature dishes include ceviche (kinilaw), grilled tuna panga, and other grilled seafood specialties like tuna bihod (eggs of the female fish), bagaybay (fish gonads), tuna belly, and grilled squid. I used to come here as a kid and I have so many memories at this restaurant. My family used to supply seafood to the local public market that’s why I naturally enjoy seafood. For pasalubong, it has to be durian, as it’s Davao’s signature delicacy. Chef Gilbert Banday Chef de Partie at Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao Bonus: In Siargao, try Kermit Surf Resort that serves the best pizza and pasta (probably the best in the Philippines) and also Harana Surf Resort that serves delicious halo-halo and tortang talong.—Chef JP Anglo

Louie Pacardo

A Nomad’s Perspective

Hometown: Koronadal, South Cotabato

The best time to visit  Every first half of January when Hinugyaw Festival is held. Hinugyaw Festival showcases the harmonious coexistence of the tripeople (Christian, Muslims, indigenous peoples) and the history of the city centered on the heroism of the settler families and leaders. Family time! For night foodie strolls and street shopping and getting the local feel of the city, the city’s famous barbeque strip, the B-Walk, and the night market located at the Freedom Plaza are the best destinations. Secret spots The trekking trails that lead to Mambucal Hot Spring should be on every outdoor fan's map. Best place for a selfie While having dinner at Lantaw Resto, which is located on one part of Roxas Mountain Range within Barangay Paraiso and overlooking the cityscape. Hometown pasalubong The sinamak (sliced vinegar) sold by many along the highway at Barangay Saravia