I’ve been in Butuan now for three days now and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, the Butuanons know good food.  I worry that my Travel Poor Diet is a goner here. 

 Day 1 was all about work.  As soon as I arrived we were off to lunch at Café Caliente that the owners hosted for the event production team.  The restaurant is right next door to a car engine shop.  In fact, both businesses are owned by one family.  The restaurant started as a coffee shop that catered to the car shop customers.  But soon it grew into a full restaurant.  Mama Len is the woman behind the tasty dishes at Café Caliente that she runs with her daughter and daughter in law.  At the front of the property is a supermarket also owned by the family.  For lunch, we were treated to a sumptuous buffet that featured among other things a Ham and Potato Fritatta and Roast Chicken.  After devouring our lunch, we had their yummy chocolate chip cookies and coffee.

After lunch, we were off to Pietros for the first of four events that we are organizing here for the Balangay Festival.  This first event was, as Jessica Simpson likes to call it, a two-fer.  It was both the Presentation Night of the Mutya Hong Butuan Candidates as well as a Fashion Design competition for the local designers.  We thought that combining these two in one event would provide guests with a chance not only to see the beauty of the ladies here but also show them the talents of Butuanons.  The judges were Gerry Katigbak, Maxie Cinco and Odelon Simpao, all respected and experienced designers who were very impressed with the workmanship of the entries.  With more experience, the local designers could certainly give our more established designers a run for their money.  The winner was a young designer who used laser cutting technique on his creation.  They were asked to create a modern version of the Manobo attire and they didn’t disappoint.  G Tongi hosted the event that segued into the formal presentation of the candidates for the annual beauty pageant.  The audience was impressed with these 12 statuesque beauties in their swimsuits.  The show was short and sweet, just as we envisioned.  And soon we were off to celebrate at a dinner that featured the best of Butuanon cuisine, sweet, succulent crabs and prawns, lechon (that my colleagues -since I don’t eat pork-swore was better than Cebu’s own!) , grilled fish, pinakbet with the freshest vegetables and of course a bilao of pancit (because no celebration is complete without pancit!) We were exhausted but the delicious dinner made up for the tired and aching bones from the event.

The next day we were back to work for a photo shoot of the candidates that was done at Felomina’s Spa.  It was one of those “so near, yet so far” moments.  There were so many photo spots for Inday, but sadly, we were too busy working.  Thankfully, we were done in time for dinner…

And where was dinner?  At Baron’s.  This Car Wash by day and restaurant by night did not disappoint.  The whole team could barely stand after feasting on Sinuglaw, a mouth-watering combination of inihaw na liempo and kinilaw.  The Spicy Paksiw na Gingaw was another winner.  I’m not a big spicy food fan, but I couldn’t resist the tasty and tender fish chunks.  And what better beverage to wash down all this goodness, a glass of fresh mango juice. 

THIS IS BARON’S

And we were not yet done.  Dessert and coffee at Margie’s.  This is probably everyone’s favorite stop in Butuan.  Their Cornflakes Meringue are my favorite but I also love their other desserts like the Cheese Cupcake (ordered 2 hehe), Chocolate Cake and Mocha Cake.  The rest of the group sampled their Profiteroles, Mint Chocolate Brownies and Prune Cake.  Those who were leaving the next day wiped out their Brownie Thin supply.

The next day was a long workday which meant spending it at the bar of Almont Inland resort where we could avail of free internet while alternating between Mango and Buko Shake. 

Today, we are still at it.  A return trip to Margie’s for lunch where I feasted on their Basil and Tuyo Pasta plus Cheese Cupcake.  Crispy Tadyang, Pandan Chicken and Kesong Puti Poppers (I think that’s what it was called, too busy enjoying it to make note of the right name) were winners too.  I’m sure I’ll be back for more….

THE STAFF OF MARGIE’S POSE WITH INDAY

We ended the day with a feast of Chinese food at Rosario’s fresh vegetables, fried chicken and crispy and chewy buchi were on the menu. 

 

I’m writing this entry while enjoying my Caffe Mocha at Bo’s Coffee where you can enjoy your coffee with serving of free internet.  That’s my kind of coffee shop.

I’ll be here for a couple more weeks so I’m sure I’ll be eating more and sharing more…stay tuned!

That’s all for now…bow.