A Taste of Native Delicacies of Gapan, Nueva Ecija

Gapan City, Nueva Ecija province -Philippines

Lakad Pamana together WalkwithChan, Mr. Allan Martinez of Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista atbp.  , Mr. Emil Carreon ( PTV channel 4 reporter and executive producer ) small group of local social media from nearby province of Bulacan and  Gapan City heritage advocates paid a courtesy call to Mayor Emerson ” Emeng ” Pascual  , the local tourism officers and local media .

courtesy call to Mayor Emerson ” Emeng” Pascual of Gapan city 

The group was warmly received by the Mayor and his staffs. The group was treated some sampling of well-known Gapan ‘s native delicacies . We were simply amaze to know ,what can the city can offer to local and even foreign tourists.

L-R Mr. Gilbert Dino , Mr. Emil Carreon of PTV channel 4 , Mayor Emerson Pascual and Mr. Ramon Valmonte ( Gapan City Advocate and Local Historian ) 

For those in doubt what Lakbay Lakad Pamana is or the advocates behind this , Lakbay Lakad Pamana is composed of several local heritage advocates like Mr. Gilbert Dino who had over 28 years experience with a well-known bus company and a local lifestyle blogger. Mr. Allan Martinez – one of the key founders of Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista atpb. a local heritage advocacy group based in Quiapo. The tour was initiated by Dr. Tessie Obusan in 1987.

The author is also active conducting small scale personalized tours for friends , relatives and classmates since high-school days.

sampling of native delicacies 

The group had one common goal , which is to help promote local tourism, industry , beautiful ancestral houses , culinary heritage and helping indigent communities thru local tourism.

sample of native kakanins

The group got a sampling of Gapan’s native delicacies with maja blanca ala Gapan, maja ube , maja de pandan , espasol, ginataan sa bilo-bilo or sampilot , suman , local ice cream brand Puno’s ( Ube -cheese flavor and langka cheese cashew , pancit canton , ube , sweetened tamarind balls or minatamis na sampalok by Bien’s Sweet Products, lumpiang ubod with special sauce.

Ginataan sa Bilo-bilo is locally called Sampilot, We liked the ginataan, It is cooked in thick coconut milk .

espasol

Espasol or Baye-Baye is a type of squarish or cylindrical sticky rice with powder which is common delicacies in Laguna, Batangas and Quezon . The espasol made in Nueva Ecija taste different from the ones from Laguna .

 Since the province is one of the largest producer of rice and its -by products , the possibilities are endless.

pancit canton ala Gapan

Pancit Canton is cooked with the use of local vegetables and is not soggy .

ube

Ube Blanca– This is a type of pudding made with purple yam or locally known as ube . Ube  scientific name is Dioscorea alata and is made into several popular desserts and ice cream. This is also best with coconut milk

Puno’s ice cream ( ube cheese flavor) 

Nueva Ecija had also a lot of carabao milk production – hence by-products like carabao’s milk , kesong puti , pastillas de leche , ice cream among others.

Puno’s ice cream ( langka  cashew cheese) 

Puno’s ice cream is one of the well-known ice cream makers of the province .

minatamis na sampaloc

Another interesting delicacy is the sweeten tamarind balls or minatamis na sampalok by Bien’s Sweet Products.  After all the native delicacies and gastronomic treat that the group had tasted ,  one must not miss buying when they are in Gapan. Eating plenty of food can makes a person sleepy during the long trip back to Manila and having sweet/ sour minatamis while during the trip will lessen the ” Umay” and help digestion .

The store/ home outlet is located at Purok 5, 220 Perez Street, Santo Cristo Sur , Gapan City , Nueva Ecija province

Contact Details: 0933-491-85-84 / 0926-409-7501

*Note : Lakbay Lakad Pamana together with, KKB, the author and in cooperation with the local goverment of Gapan City  , Nueva Ecija will be having a whole day culinary and heritage tour on September 24 Saturday .

Here is the FB Event Page, for those interested in joining the whole day tour :

Contact : Call Or Text 0923 346 7575
Email: lakad_pamana@yahoo.com.ph

Puno’s Ice Cream FB

Philippine Carabao Center

Website: http://www.census.gov.ph/