Yakan Weaving in Lamitan, the Yakan Homeland

Yakan hand loomed fabrics are know for their use of bold colors and geometric patterns. The traditional Yakan art of weaving originated from the island of Basilan, and there is no better place to witness this living art than in the Yakan Homeland of Lamitan, Basilan.

Empanada Festival 2013

In celebration of its sixth City Charter Day on June 23, 2012, the City of Batac is holding the Empanada Festival 2013 showcasing its number one product, the Batac Empanada. Highlight of festivities is the Grand Parade happening in the afternoon of June 23, 2012. See photos from Empanada Festival 2012.


Fossilized Flower Production in Quirino Province

At first look, fossilized flowers look like dried flowers, but they are in fact not made of flowers but of alibangbang leaves that have been dried, bleached and dyed. The fossilized flower making industry in Quirino Province was a product of the initiative of the provincial government to create livelihood for its citizens and to create a product that would represent the province. Today, the industry is one of the biggest source of livelihood in Quirino, particularly in the town of Cabarroguis where fossilized flowers have been identified as its One Town One Product (OTOP).

Alibangbang Leaves

Many housewives in the province depend on the fossilized flower making industry as a source of additional income to support their domestic finances. According to Mrs. Ignacio, a resident of Barangay Gamis, in the town of Saguday, she has been making fossilized flowers since 1999 and the income she generated helped to finance the education of her children. During weekends and school breaks, her children also help out in making fossilized flowers.

Fossilized Flower Production

Mrs. Joyce Soriano, owner of Craft by Joyce, a commercial manufacturer of fossilized flowers in the town of Cabarroguis, receives regular orders from home decor stores and boutiques in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. She has around ten full time employees engaged in the production while a number of housewives also supplies her with raw materials. According to the Provincial Tourism Office, fossilized flowers are also being exported to countries like the United States and Japan.

Fossilized Flowers are a concrete testament to Filipino creativity to transform everyday materials into crafts and works of art. Through this industry, Filipinos manifest their unity and the uniquely Filipino trait of damayan. By empowering the people with skills, the province was able to develop a thriving business that fuels economic growth in its barrios and towns.

Craft by Joyce | Cabarroguis, Quirino Province

Visitors can proceed to the Pasalubong Center at the Quirino Capitol Complex where they can purchase fossilized flowers as souvenirs. Each stem of flower sells for P15.00 while bouquets cost around P250.00. Other locally made items and food products are also available at the Pasalubong Center.

For bigger volumes, you can contact Mrs. Joyce Soriano of Craft by Joyce at 0916-3401111 or 0905-4914888. You can also send her an e-mail at craftbyjoyce@yahoo.com.

One Town, One Product (OTOP) is a program of the Philippine Government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to encourage entrepreneurship aimed at providing livelihood and employment to Filipinos. It showcases products made of indigenous raw materials crafted by local workers, craftsmen and artists. The OTOP is also a key instrument in promoting tourism in the country. We at Pinas Muna advocate the OTOP program and through our blog, we aim to introduce you to the many Filipino-made products and urge you to support Filipino businesses.

Carmelado of Milagros, Masbate

Carmelado is a milk candy traditionally made of carabao's milk and sugar. It is Masbate's version of pastillas de leche, but are more solid. Until recently, this delicacy has been recognized as one of the OTOP or One Town, One Product of the province of Masbate, with majority of its producers based in the town of Milagros.

It's a childhood favorite among Masbateños, says Aurora Santiago-Cortez (Ate Auring), a local entrepreneur and producer of carmelado accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). We asked her why they use carabao milk when Masbate has thousands of cows. Ate Auring told us that carabao milk is thicker and richer in flavor. She added, we do mix carabao milk with a small portion of cow milk which we buy from Fazenda da Esperança, a self-sustaining rehabilitation center for alcohol and drug dependents located in Milagros. We were really inspired by how Ate Auring, with her small household business, found a way to sustain her family's livelihood and contribute to the society.

Ate Auring has OTOP stalls located at Masbate Airport parking area and at the Masbate Seaport. Each pack contains 24 pieces of carmelado candies and sells for PHP100.00 per pack. Ate Auring also accepts orders from outside Masbate. You can contact Ate Auring for details on shipping.

Ate Auring and her OTOP Cariton at Masbate Airport

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Auring's Special Carmelado
PD Road, Bacolod, Milagros, Masbate
Contact Nos.: 09266454157 / 09184696416

One Town, One Product (OTOP) is a program of the Philippine Government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to encourage entrepreneurship aimed at providing livelihood and employment to Filipinos. It showcases products made of indigenous raw materials crafted by local workers, craftsmen and artists. The OTOP is also a key instrument in promoting tourism in the country. We at Pinas Muna advocate the OTOP program and through our blog, we aim to introduce you to the many Filipino-made products and urge you to support Filipino businesses.

Sun-Dried Beef Tapa of Masbate City

Dubbed as the Rodeo Capital of the Philippines, Masbate is the major livestock breeding center of the country producing top quality cattle. Beef from Masbate is said to be the tastiest in the country because cattle in the province is fed only with grass. In addition, Masbatenos take pride in their beef products that are certified free from Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD).

It is no surprise that Mr. Mariano Natural (Kuya Nomer), a local entrepreneur, started a processed beef production business banking on the popularity of the quality of Masbate's cattle. The product was developed through the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and his Nomer's Beef Tapa product was later on recognized as the OTOP or One Town, One Product of Masbate City.

Aside from its excellent taste, what's equally amazing about this tapa is that it only takes 2-5 seconds to cook. The process starts with marinading the meat for 24 hours. The following day, they are set to dry under the sun the whole day. They are then cut into strips and are packed in vacuum-sealed plastic packaging.

Here are the steps for cooking Nomer's Beef Tapa:

Step 1: remove the package from the freezer and let it thaw in room temperature

Step 2: heat cooking oil in frying pan

Step 3: fry the beef tapa for 2-5 seconds or until all are coated with oil

Step 4: serve and enjoy

Another way to cook this tapa is to mix the tapa cuts as an ingredient to fried rice. Start by sauteing garlic in oil, then add the steamed rice. Add seasoning. Add the tapa cuts and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes over low fire.

Kuya Nomer has a stall located at the Masbate Airport parking area. Each 125g-pack is sold at PHP100.00. Since they are vacuum-sealed, the airlines allow these to be place inside carry-on luggages. Keep the beef tapa frozen to extend its shelf life.

Kuya Nomer can also ship outside Masbate. Each 125g-pack costs PHP125.00 which already includes shipping. A 50% downpayment is required prior to the delivery, with the remaining balance payable upon receipt of the delivery. Contact Kuya Nomer for more details.

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Nomer's Beef Tapa
Masbate Meat Processing
Cagba, Masbate City
Contact Numbers: 0919-5195813 / 0919-8525443

One Town, One Product (OTOP) is a program of the Philippine Government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to encourage entrepreneurship aimed at providing livelihood and employment to Filipinos. It showcases products made of indigenous raw materials crafted by local workers, craftsmen and artists. The OTOP is also a key instrument in promoting tourism in the country. We at Pinas Muna advocate the OTOP program and through our blog, we aim to introduce you to the many Filipino-made products and urge you to support Filipino businesses.

Sweet Mangoes from Zambales

The province of Zambales is said to produce some of the sweetest mangoes in the world. Having this is mind, we made sure that we get to taste their mangoes during our weekend trip to the province. It wasn't an exaggeration! Mangoes in Zambales are indeed sweet! One, two, three mangoes, we couldn't have enough of them.

Mango Vendors at the Trade Fair

It is no surprise that mango is declared as One Town, One Product or OTOP in a number of towns in Zambales. To help promote their mangoes, the province holds an annual Mango Festival. Among the activites is a trade fair held at the provincial capital town of Iba. Various mango producers sell their harvest at bargain price. The province's 13 municipalities also set up their own booth to showcase their local specialty products.

Mango Festival Trade Fair

Summer time is the best time to visit Zambales when mangoes are at their most abundant. If you will have the chance to visit Zambales, don't fail to sample their mangoes. A number of vendors have stalls along the national highway, mostly located between the towns of San Narciso and San Marcelino. During Mango Festival, the best place to look for mangoes would be at the trade fair in Iba, usually located at the Zambales National High School grounds.

One Town, One Product (OTOP) is a program of the Philippine Government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to encourage entrepreneurship aimed at providing livelihood and employment to Filipinos. It showcases products made of indigenous raw materials crafted by local workers, craftsmen and artists. The OTOP is also a key instrument in promoting tourism in the country. We at Pinas Muna advocate the OTOP program and through our blog, we aim to introduce you to the many Filipino-made products and urge you to support Filipino businesses.