Bibingka sa Caraga

When you go to Surigao from Butuan, there is this very humble restaurant that was built through their bibingka business.  The name is Bibingka sa Caraga. It is along this Butuan – Surigao Maharlika Highway, and you have to be very vigilant in searching for it because it is along the highway.  The bibingka in Luzon is different from the Bibingka in Visayas and Mindanao.  The bibingka looks like a native muffins. It is made of coconut, ground rice and their special spices that makes this bibingka unique.  I have tasted similar bibingka in the Visayas and Mindanao but this bibingka is very much different. It is very delicious.  For this experience, I had it fresh from their oven.  When we went back to Butuan city, I had another one. Even if it was not hot, it still tasted heavenly good.  

Where to Find

Bibingka sa Caraga is located along Butuan-Surigao Maharlika Highway, Los Angeles, Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte. It is very hard to find but when you reach Barangay Los Angeles, the people can direct you to its exact location.  The Bibingka sa Caraga is a family business of Mang Tirso who is from Marabujoc, Bohol. He and his wife has been cooking bibingka everyday for the past 10 years. 

As a matter of fact, they are known at the place and to those who passes by.  Their shop has become a merienda pit stop for those who are hungry to have their mouth-watering bibingka.

Bibingka ni Aling Ligaya

Napakasarap po ng Bibingka ni Aling Ligaya!!!  It is made of sticky rice cooked with coconut milk, topped with latik ( caramelized sugar Filipino style) and roasted coconut meat.   Once you tasted it, the more I want to eat.  It blends very well with tea, coffee or salabat (ginger brew).  When I have it at home, I eat it as my dessert during my evening coffee break.  

 There is one maker of Bibingkang Malagkit in Teresa Rizal know to many as “Aling Ligaya” (LIgaya Gemanel). When you ask who is the best maker of Bibingka in the Teresa? The answer will lead you to her name.  That is how famous her bibingka in Teresa.  I once asked myself, why is their bibingka taste so good?  It just popped in my mind maybe it is a labor of love since its a husband and wife tandem.  You will see both of them working together in their house-factory. As a matter of fact, people from Teresa will boast this terrific bibinkga as their “pasalubong” to their friends and relatives everytime they visit.  

Where to find

Just follow the national road from Antipolo passing to Teresa Rizal.  This is also the same access road going to Morong and Tanay.  If you are coming from Antipolo, you will notice that there is a left turn in national highway.  The first land mark is a lugawan at barangay Poblacion.  You may stop there and ask for the residence of Aling Ligaya.  They will lead you to a pathway going to her house. Just make sure you are there before 9:00am because of the bulk orders that they are making.  They also make biko, mahablanca and kalamay.

 Thanks to my friend Marnie Gonzales from Teresa Rizal who introduced me to this.  Thanks to Aling Ligaya for perfecting the culinary art of bibingka to which I am honored of tasting one of the most delicious bibingka in our country. 

Bibingkang Malagkit

When I woke up today, my wife hurriedly ask me to join her for breakfast.  She told we have something new.  And there it was, Bibingkang Malagkit.  She bought it during her morning market activity.  This is new for our taste buds since according to the seller, It came from Nueva Ecija.  It taste different from the bibingka that I first metioned. This one is made of the same ingredient however it is a stick pie.  

Where to Find 

This is available in Lores Market along ML Quezon in Antipolo.  SOmething new in the place and something worth trying. In other word, it is delicious and very yummy!!!

Bibingka

From my office in Quezon City going to our house in Antipolo, it will take me 2 hours if I take the public ride and around 1 hour and 30 mins if I have a car. This time, I took the public ride. When I reached Antipolo, you will feel the change of climate.  Usually, Antipolo temperature drops by 5 degrees celsius if your reference is the temperature in Metro Manila. The Yuletide season is very festive at the Antipolo Cathedral and there are plenty of people at the newly renovated plaza Rizal. 

This is also the time to take a bite something different where Antipolo si famous for like  cashew nuts and suman sa lihiya.  It is the famous bibingka. It is made of rice flour, sugar, butter or margarine and coconut milk.  People at the plaza are literally selling bibinka at every corner of the street and every side of the plaza. They baked it over a clay pot with fire on top of the prepared bibingka mold.  I am not saying that It is the best bibingka which I’ll be talking about different versions per location, but the experience in eating bibingka near Antipolo Cathedral and Plaza Rizal is worth trying.  It is best with coffee or chocolate that are available at the place. There are also chairs and tables which you can enjoy eating while the Christmas carols are sung by different choir groups.  Try to go there around 8:00pm and you will be amaze on the light, sight , sound, climate and food.  This Yuletide season, don’t miss this once in every year moment in Antipolo. 

How to go there

There are two common route. The first is via Ortigas extension that runs from Ortigas Center all the way to Tikilng Taytay.  Reach Tikling, just go straight the road going to Antipolo ( directional markers are available).  Once you reach the Antipolo proper, you may turn left before entering Circumferential road.  The indicator that you are there is the triangular rotonda with status inside.  Once you turn left, just follow the road and you will reach Antipolo Church through Oliveros st..

There other one is via Marcos Highway from Masinag market.  Once you reach Masinag Market, you turn right. Just follow the road up to the point you reach a crossing ( Siete Medya st).   Directional signs are available there which will lead you to Antipolo Cathedral and Plaza Rizal. Exact location: Oliveros st. cor. ML Quezon, Antipolo City, Rizal.