CEBU BEST EATS SERIES - Buwad

BUWAD (Dried Fish)

Cebu is home to the famous crispy lechon and sweet mangoes. While many relish on munching the crispy skin of lechon Cebu and delight on Cebu's sweet mangoes, one cannot escape another contender of Cebu's best dish - Buwad. Buwad, in local dialect which means "to dry", is a local name for dried fish. A typical Cebuano's diet is incomplete if Buwad is not on their plate.

Buwad on display at Taboan Public Market

Straight forward, Buwad is a carrier of salty sweet ocean taste. But, be careful because excess of consumption of this delicious delicacy is a sure way to raise your Blood pressure and its not pleasurable. Buwad is sold and is commonly available to every Public Market in Cebu. You know where to find Buwad by following its strong scent. 

Where can you buy the best Buwad in town? Unless you can directly source your supply in the islands of Cebu, usually in Bantayan Island, the next best area to greet you with Buwad is in Taboan Public Market in Cebu City. Just a jeepney away from Cebu City Hall, this 10 minute trip to Taboan Public Market will offer you many options from dried danguit to dried pusit and with sides of dried mangoes and chorizo, you can buy your buwad for as low as 300 to 800 per kilo depending on the quality.

Buwad is best consumed in the morning as a side dish of your breakfast but it can be eaten in lunch and dinner. Simply fry these dried fish and your meal is complete. It is best paired with fresh tomato, piping hot rice, and coffee. Like Buwad? Try now!

Cebu. Best. Eats. Series. Buwad

MANILA NORTH PORT HARBOR

SPOT CHECKING OF CONTAINER, MANILA NORTH PORT HARBOR
Manila International Container Port


The Bureau of Customs is the primary agency of the Philippine Government in collecting taxes, duties and fees of goods coming in and out of the country. One of its mandates is to prevent the government of being defrauded from vicious smugglers of introducing in the Philippines smuggled or misdeclared items. Hence, the Bureau of Customs conducts SPOT-CHECKING of containers.

Manila International Container Port North Harbor at Night

Now, here are the STEPS where the District Collector conducts SPOT-CHECKING of Containers, viz:

a. RANDOM SELECTION FROM THE MANIFESTS OF SHIPPERS/CONSIGNEE TO BE SPOT-CHECKED;

b. REQUEST FOR SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS/ PHYSICAL EXAMINATION SIGNED BY THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR;

c. TRANSMITTAL OF THE REQUEST FOR SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS/ PHYSICAL EXAMINATION TO THE SHIPPING LINE AND TO THE PORT OF MANILA (designated port);

d. CONDUCTION OF SPOT-CHECKING BY BUREAU OF CUSTOM INSPECTOR (Note:  The spot-checking must be made in the presence of the Consignee and/or authorized Representative of the Consignee);

e. RECEIVING OF DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS;

d. VERIFICATION OF RECEIVED DOCUMENTS;

f. RECOMMENDATION FOR RELEASE (Note: The recommendation for release must be duly signed by the Bureau of Custom Inspector and Consignee and/or his authorized representative);

g. MEMORANDUM OF RELEASE (Note: The Memorandum must be duly sealed and signed by the Collector of Customs); and

h. TRANSMITTAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF RELEASE TO THE SHIPPING AND TO THE PORT.

Lifters are busy taking out containers

The schedule for container examination is from MONDAY to FRIDAY from 9:00 A.M. - 3:30 PM.

For all the transacting public, the requirements needed are the following:

a. PHOTOCOPY OF THE COMPANY ID;
b. A DULY SIGNED AUTHORIZATION LETTER;
c. PHOTOCOPY OF THE BILL OF LADING.

Note: Persons who are without proper authorization will not be entertained.

SAMPLE AUTHORIZATION LETTER

For more details, check at your respective District Collector.

SEA-TURTLES BUTCHERED IN CEBU

SEA-TURTLES BUTCHERED IN CEBU

Last December 11, 2018, operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation - Environmental Crime Division conducted an entrapment operation in an against vendors of an Eatery in Pasil, Cebu City, Philippines for selling stewed sea turtle locally known as "PAWIKAN". Five were arrested and eventually brought before the City Prosecutor's Office of Cebu City, Philippines for violation of  Section (e) and (f) of Republic Act No. 9147 otherwise known as the "Wildlife Resources Conversation and Protection Act."

Sea Turtle or "Pawikan" is served as local delicacy known as "larang". It is a delicacy trooped by cebuanos from all walks of life because of the belief of its healing as well as aphrodisiac properties. The serving is from 65 to 90 pesos and usually available during lunch. Sadly, most consumers of these meat are government employees who elbow their way just to make an order.

What good sense is their for these individuals, both sellers and consumers, to eat this endangered specie at the expense of having the Sea Turtle "Pawikan" go totally extinct. The demand of this dish ultimately ends up in catching, butchering, and eating Sea Turtles.

During the raid by the NBI, what is disheartening is that they recovered 90 kgs. of Sea Turtle with 20 liters of already stewed sea turtle meat. The more cause of concern is that 6 sea turtles were recovered with one having a tag to "RETURN TO SANDAKAN, MALAYSIA".

When news was heard about the operation, many were in jubilation that the government, especially the NBI-Environmental Crime Division, acted on this illegality. Sadly, many agree that this has been happening for a long long period of time and that the government's action may be too late. Wel, at the least, the NBI Environmental Crime Division made a statement that KILLING, SELLING, CONSUMING OR HAVING IN HIS POSSESSION of an ENDANGERED SPECIE is against the law.

Here are the pictures of the Sea Turtles Butchered.

I hope that similar incident will no longer happen, more so, the poaching of endangered specie. It the wish of this generation that the succeeding children of our children will still enjoy the blessings of our Nature.

The Enchanted River of Hinatuan

The Enchanted River of Hinatuan
Surigao Del Sur, Philippines


I have never been into a magical place until I met the Enchanted River of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. This Paradise which is 2 to 3 hours travel from Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur is as magical as those you find in computer generated places in Hollywood. I cannot be more certain that the Enchanted River enchants those who come to visit her.

The river is engulfed with trees and shrubs. What makes it Enchanted is a tale that only belongs to the locals. But from the eyes of The Philippine Local, I made a list why this Enchanted River is mystifying, to wit:

a. Upon entering the area, a COLD MIST wraps around your body;
b. UNKNOWN DEPTH of the river, as well as the tantalizing shades of blue [Legend has it that a diver once brave to measure the depth of the river and never came back to tell the tale];
c. Schools of BIG fish inhabit river;
d. The presence of PETRIFIED WOOD which take MILLIONS OF YEARS to occur by natural process; and
e. The pure SERENITY of the river.

We take a dip in the COLD WATER of the river and it was very worthwhile for the long travel we made.

TOURISTS are warned that they cannot bring food during the tour in the river, so better let those tummies be full. PLEASE BE ADVICE, if visiting, not to VANDALIZE the ENCHANTED RIVER.

I took a short clip of the ENCHANTED RIVER. Hope you enjoy!