Journeys in photographs and words.

A little of each town’s story

Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

Sisig and puso

From: Everyday life on Mactan Island

Puso rice unwrapped from its coconut leaves
Puso rice unwrapped from its coconut leaves

Sisig is a Filipino dish of chopped pork jowl and ears seasoned with kalamansi, onions and chili peppers, served on a sizzling plate. It originates from Pampanga on Luzon, and the modern version is credited to Lucia Cunanan of Angeles. Egg and mayonnaise are common additions nowadays, though Pampanga's traditionalist chefs frown on them. Puso is rice boiled in a woven pouch of palm leaves; the name means "heart" in Cebuano, and in Philippine English it is also called hanging rice. It is closely tied to Visayan street food and is often eaten with grilled skewers of meat or fish.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

This moment in the journey

Sisig, puso and a mango smoothie

Under the sunset sky, I took a table lit by the light bulbs of the stalls. Breaking the egg on the iron plate and mixing it all together made it even more delicious. The egg softened the rich flavor of the pork, seasoned with soy sauce and vinegar.

With it I had puso, rice wrapped in coconut leaves. Unwinding the woven leaves revealed rice packed tight inside. It goes perfectly with the richly seasoned sisig.

As you'd expect in the tropics, the mango smoothie was wonderful too. Families strolled through the food stalls at dusk. I love the Philippines.

Watch this scene on YouTube4:41

Read this scene in the full journey

Sitting at a table in the food court under the sunset
Sitting at a table in the food court under the sunset
Sisig on the iron plate with egg and kalamansi
Sisig on the iron plate with egg and kalamansi
Mixing the sisig with a spoon and fork
Mixing the sisig with a spoon and fork
Sisig, puso and a smoothie on the table
Sisig, puso and a smoothie on the table
Picking up the mango smoothie
Picking up the mango smoothie
The food stalls lit up at dusk
The food stalls lit up at dusk
The mango smoothie on the table
The mango smoothie on the table
Looking out over the night market at dusk
Looking out over the night market at dusk