Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated.

For Mama Beth, thanks for the memories and the best pili roll I have ever tasted. Trip to Vinzons will never be the same without you.

January 11, 2022
Batangas, Philippines

I had planned to visit my aunt in February, but on January 3, I received a phone call informing me that she had passed away, so I hurriedly traveled to Bicol.

When I was younger, I foolishly believed I would live forever, but now I realize how fleeting life truly is.

When my family and I would visit my aunt in Vinzons, Camarines Norte, she would prepare us some of the most exquisite Bicol dishes I’ve ever had. It was her home cooked lunch that first introduced me to the delicious cuisine of Bicol. When it comes to Filipino cuisine, nothing beats Bicol’s coconut cream with chilies. The only things I have left of hers are the warm thoughts and delicious dishes I will cherish forever.

BICOL REGION

Six provinces make up Bicol, which is located in Luzon’s southernmost tip: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes.

The cuisine is especially well-known for its use of coconut milk and hot peppers. Pili nut-based treats are also popular. Coconut palms, chile peppers, and pili nuts are all abundant in Bicol, making these components simple to source.

CAMARINES NORTE

My home province in the Bicol region. I was born in Labo, one of its municipalities, and raised there until I moved with my family to Vinzons so that I could be closer to Mama Beth when I was in high school. My grandma’s house is literally right across the street from the local church, and the bulk of the locals are Roman Catholic.

Getting Around Camarines Norte

On the morning of January 4, my aunt who had traveled all the way from Isabela picked me up in Batangas so that we could travel to Vinzons together. Commute travel is another viable option. It takes about 7 to 8 hours to drive there from Batangas. It is still necessary to travel by land to reach Vinzons. The closest airport to Vinzons is in Albay, which is still a lengthy six hours distant.

Restrictions

Camarines Norte is accepting leisure travelers provided that they follow the standard health protocol. Fully vaccination card and travel pass to be presented in the checkpoint. If you are not fully vaccinated, expect to get an antigen test in the checkpoint.

Expenses

The total cost of my trip, including transportation, lodging, and food, is Php 2,000, or around $38. In terms of travel and lodging, I did not have to pay a dime. Many eateries and cafes only accept cash.

Accommodation

We paid Php1,000 each night to stay at Paolo’s Guesthouse. There are 7 roomy dorms at this hostel in Vinzons. I appreciated the enough lighting, comfortable double bed, and spotless, water-heated bathroom. Paolo’s is a wonderful place to stay.

Language

The dialect is Bicolano but Tagalog is widely spoken here. Everyone can understand basic English too.

Climate

Tropical, it was hot during the day but gets colder at night. The temperature ranges from 27-30 degree Celsius.

FLAVORS OF CAMARINES NORTE

I love Bicol food and delicacies. It is a perfect combination of flavors of chilis and coconut cream. The best home cooked meals will always be in Bicol! Coconut is one of the major crops in Bicol so it is prominent in all the ingredients in the region.

1. Langka (jackfruit with coconut and chilis) – for vegans, you can opt to try this one out too excluding the shrimp of course. This is a perfect meat substitute if you want to be vegan, it’s yum!
2. Laing (dried taro leaves) with chilis and coconut
3. Sinantol (shredded cotton fruit) with coconut milk
4. Dinugan (pig’s blood) with coconut milk
5. Empanda – Spanish delicacy, Bicol style (baked or turnover with meat fillings)
6. Ginumis (sherbet) – shaved ice mango flavor
7. Puto, Filipino steamed rice cake which is made from slightly fermented rice dough.
8. Angko – Famous delicacy in Vinzons which is made of glutinous rice, coconut oil, peanut butter filling. The bottom is lined with banana leaves, so yum!

Photos from right Angko, Sinantol, Empanada, Ginumis, Dinuguan, Puto, Laing, Langka

I just realized that vegans would love Bicol food due to the fact that Bicol’s vegetables can be a meat replacement, it is very delicious.

Although it’s of a different circumstance, it was still good to see my cousins after 2 years. Plus, I really love Bicol’s food the most in the Philippines. No other regions can beat this. I will go back here again to go places and eat more food.

I also realized that whenever I travel, I get really sick – it’s either traveler’s diarrhea or traveler’s fever. I am not quite sure if this was because of the duration of my travel, food or the people I talk to so I have to better be careful next time.

Love,
Maria, sometimes Niskie