Hello, everyone! I thought I’d be hibernating from all the excessive pork in my first food adventure outside of Ilocos with FoodPrints, on tour exploring, and about to share their food finds. I first met the show’s host, kind and super kalog Chef Sandy Daza, and the welcoming key people of Lifestyle Network, Red Balloon and The Cinematic Studio in Laoag while they were filming the first two episodes of the food show, set to air on the Lifestyle Network this coming Sept. 21, 8:30 PM (not Sept. 7, folks, like I earlier wrote).

It was almost flooded in Ilocos and thank heavens the rains stopped before I left for the south, As a blogger, it’s been a dream of mine to explore Bulacan’s sweet gastronomy. Little did I know that there’s a whole lot more provocative than (my fave) fresh and tostado pastillas de leche. Well, I found out there are many varieties of pastillas and guess what? I also got to meet the original pastillas pabalat artist, CCP awardee Mrs. Luz Ocampo, and her daughter, who’s happy continuing her mother’s kind of intricate art. The Bulacan outing was so full of surprises! A real pig out! I can’t wait to write about the food and all the people behind the interesting finds. I also have two Bulacan heritage recipes for you. For now, the post is all about my personal account. A selfie post. Actually.

Getting to Bulacan from Laoag by bus was an adventure on its own. 5 transfers with a trolley and a heavy backpack and no celfone to Nory’s Restaurant in Sulucan from Marilao via tricycle was worth all the beady sweat as it turned out. Thanks to the very helpful manong tricycle driver who assisted me all throughout until I saw Ms. Jennie Celdran, FoodPrints co-producer, hop out of Nory’s. I owe all my fruitful 5-day Bulacan experience to Jennie for inviting me. Not to forget Mr. Sandy Daza and the FoodPrints crew for wanting me around. It’s a most cherished experience.

At Agatha Resort in Guiguinto where FoodPrints was based.

Ready for the wet shoot in Panasahan Fishport and Pamarawan Island: Iggy Bilbao and director Cris Sevilla-Bilbao in matching wellies.

Sandy Daza is also the chef behind Wooden Spoon along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. His new Rockwell restaurant just opened. I heard from Doc Glory Caluya, they serve real appetizing food!

St. Augustine Church in Baliwag, Bulacan.

A guest in the Bulacan episode, food columnist and blogger Margaux Salcedo prepared a lovely homecooked traditional breakfast for FoodPrints. I will write a separate post soon. In behalf of the group, thanking Margaux for the pleasurable spread!

Throwback 1877: The Bautista Mansion on Pariancillo St. in the kamestisuhan of Bulacan. The resident of the heritage house is no other than Dez Bautista, a food historian, a professior and a production designer. I asked him a few questions, so that will be another story.

Roly Marcelino and Jhem de Jesus of the Malolos Tourism Office usherd FoodPrints from start to finish. (Thanks so much, loves!)

Just in case we would not be able to get near the Barasoain Church.

But we did!

Til the next post. Miss writing really!

Photographed by Pen Mulingbayan, Melanie de Leon and Blauearth
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