Bagong (Amorphophallus sp.) -- the Famous Root Crop of San Roque, Northern Samar

On October 23, 2010, I wrote a short article on Socyberty.com about a popular root crop in my hometown. The title of that post was Amorphophallus paeniifolius: A Famous Christmas Delicacy in San Roque, Northern Samar, Philippines. 

The write-up disappeared around 2015 when Triond.com and all of its affiliate sites, including Socyberty, suddenly became inaccessible. Triond, by the way, was a revenue-sharing platform where writers published articles on the internet. 

A family of farmers install the sariak before planting Amorphophallus.
Almost every bagong farm in San Roque has a bamboo installation at the center. 

What to Expect at a Waray Social Gathering

Never attend a Waray gathering if you're not ready to perform the Kuratsa, a traditional Filipino dance of courtship. This is something that every Waray understands. Some even think that it is an insult if a visitor is not requested to dance the Kuratsa during a fiesta celebration or during a wedding.

Puto and Bibingka from Mahaplag, Leyte

Bibingka and puto are two of Mahaplag's native delicacies. If you happen to reach this part of Leyte, you should give them a try. You will easily spot these rice cakes as vendors sell them on the streets of this little town in Leyte.

Bibingka

Puto

Neatly packed in plastic wrappers, these food products are ideal as pasalubong (homecoming gift) or as baon (snack while on travel).

Enjoy your breakfast with Mahaplag's version of bibingka and puto.

Baybay City's Dry Market: A Photo Story

In June, three editorial staff members of The Tiller - that's the name of our high school paper - and I attended a Camp Blog at Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte. One of the outputs we made was a photo story of Baybay's dry market section.

We were at the pubic market on June 24 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. where we took photographs of the area assigned to us. With us and the other participants were the Camp Blog facilitators and Mr. Jimmy Domingo, a photojournalist and our resource person for that activity.

This photo story is a product of long discussions and brainstorming among the group members and Mr. Domingo, but we give the biggest credit to Miguel Albert Taveros, The Tiller's Editor-in-Chief and layout artist for bringing to life our ideas through this output because of his knowledge of Adobe movie-maker.

What Businesses in Baybay City, Leyte Accept Credit Cards?

As of this writing, there are three:

1. Greenware Customized Systems and PC Accessories. It's a computer store located at Prince Baybay.
2. Mercury Drug Corporation. It's far from being an ordinary drug store because it has its own grocery section. The store is open until 10:00 P.M. (that's what I like about "Mercury")
3. Prince Baybay -- is the biggest store in the city. Panny's Bakeshop, which sells cakes and pastries, and Rose Pharmacy have also their own stalls inside the building. Aside from credit cards, Prince Baybay also accepts debit cards.

Photo link

Greenware, Mercury Drug, and Prince are located at A. Bonifacio St., Baybay City, Leyte.

Related posts:
Prince Mall Opens in Baybay, Leyte, Philippines
Things To Do and See in Baybay, Leyte, Philippines

Tikang sa Leyte ngan Samar -- SMART Padala is Now Available in San Roque, Northern Samar, Philippines

Sending money to your family in San Roque, Northern Samar should no longer be a problem now that SMART Padala is operating in this town. Banks and agencies like LBC, MLhuiller, and Western Union are just non-existent in San Roque; hence, whoever receives money through them has to go to Catarman -- Northern Samar's capital town -- to claim the money.

San Roque, Northern Samar, Philippines

With SMART Padala, the recipient can receive the amount in San Roque right after it is sent since the service is done through mobile remittance. If you're planning to use SMART Padala, you have to know Magkaru Store's Smart Money Number, for it is the only business establishment in San Roque that extends this kind of service. Magkaru, whose proprietor is Ms. Bles Morales, is located at San Roque's Public Market.

Municipal Building of San Roque

Remember to get the control number after sending the money as your family will need this when claiming the amount.