What to Eat
Though the Philippines has an abundance of fresh seafood and a wide array of succulent tropical fruit, the daily food of the common people tends to be uninspiring. With a few exceptions, such as Bicol and the Muslim areas of the south, the seasoning isn't spicy. Native cooks have, however, devised some tasty recipes using ingredients such as coconut milk, jackfruit, garlic, and ginger. An unusual feature of Filipino cooking is the combination of major ingredients, e.g., chicken and shrimps, and pork and fish. Soups like sinigang and tinola are delicious, as is well-prepared lechon (roast suckling pig). An array of sweet morsels is made from glutinous rice, while halo-halo is a common dessert based on layers of preserved or sweetened fruit, gelatin, custard, and crushed ice. The special halo-halo is topped by a scoop of ice cream. So while Filipino dishes rarely reach sublime heights, it's possible to enjoy satisfying meals, accompanied by the excellent local beer, rum, or coffee.