San Miguel, the northernmost town of Bulacan, is known for its historicity as well as its many sons and daughters who have played important roles in the country’s path to independence. Biak na Bato, Maximo Viola, heritage and ancestral houses, San Miguel Archangel Parish Church, and Pablo Tecson are just some of the many names, places and things these town is known for. But aside from that, it is also known for its culinary heritage, especially sweets, from where the old name “San Miguel de Mayumo” came from (“mayumo” means “sweet).
I, San Josenyong Gala, was fortunate to be able to be a part of the San Miguel Culinary and Heritage Tour 2018 where a visit to the town’s some heritage sites as well as many food establishments serving culinary and modern cuisine was conducted. The food tour proved that San Miguel is indeed a culinary haven, and a visit to the town will not leave anyone hungry, or unsatisfied.
This 2nd part (out of 4) features food establishments producing 2 of the most famous products of San Miguel, and 1 emerging signature product also deserving to be known as Tatak San Miguel. It’s a must to visit them when you are in town!
CRISTY AND CLAUDINE’S PASTILLAS AND PASALUBONG
San Miguel has been, and always be, known as the land of the tastiest PASTILLAS that is loved by many people, not only in Bulacan but also in many other parts of the Philippines and beyond. Pastillas is one of the most treasured product of San Miguel since time immemorial and the people here has already mastered their unique way of making it. One of the most successful pastillas businesses of the town is Cristy’s Pastillas, now known as Cristy and Claudine’s Pastillas and Pasalubong.
According to the owner, Claudine, their pastillas making business started in 1968 through her Lola Cristine Garcia. Since then, their pastillas has gone on to become famous and reached many different places. It now comes in different variants such as de Leche, de Yema, de Ube, de Langka, de Dayap, toasted, chocnut, and sugar free.
While there, our group were able to witness how they make their pastillas and some of us were allowed to try mixing the ingredients while they are cooking. It was definitely a fun experience being able to witness how one of our favorite treats is prepared.
The texture of their pastillas is smooth, and the taste, not too sweet. I brought home a box from Cristy’s and my family and GF liked them because they taste creamy with just the right amount of sweetness perfect for pastillas binge-eating.
Their factory is located at No. 45 Tibagan, San Miguel, Bulacan which also serve as the main branch. They have 2 store branches : 803 Progreso St., Brgy. San Jose, San Miguel; and Stall B & C, Cagayan Valley Rd., Salangan, San Miguel. They can be reached at 0917-800-3105/ 0917-578-3186 and their FB page, Cristy and Claudine’s Pastillas and Pasalubong.
INAY GOYENA’s CHICHARON
San Miguel Town is the very first place that comes to mind whenever one hears CHICHARON. In this part of the country, chicharon sellers and buyers alike always equate San Miguel to quality chicharon. It is one of the 2 most famous products of the town, the other one is Pastillas.
Of the many chicharon factories in San Miguel, one factory is very famous for its white chicharon : Inay Goyena’s Chicharon. Theirs is on the shade of white instead of the more normal brownish – burnt color. The raw materials for their chicharon is sourced from native pigs and not from imported pig skin which has different and lower quality texture and taste. I was able to taste their newly cooked chicharon and it was heaven! Too bad I have to eat in moderation because… BP guys… J
We were also shown how they cooked their chicharon. I was amazed by the large kawali they are using in cooking. It is fried twice, first where the pork rinds are ‘awaken” (ginigising) then transferred to another kawali where it is finally cooked to produce the chicharon we know. We were also shown how the crispy chicharon looks before it is cooked. They call them “antala”.
Inay Goyena’s Chicharon is the go-to place for stations, newspapers, and online blogs who want to feature San Miguel’s Chicharon industry. They have been recently featured in Umagang Kay Ganda for their chicharon business. Their factory is located at 49 Tecson Street, Poblacion, San Miguel. They can be reached at telephone numbers (044)764-0074 and 0917-327-5443. Their Facebook page is Inay Goyena’s Chicharon.
SWEET BULAKENYA FOODS
Found just beside the highway, SWEET BULAKENYA FOODS is a storehouse of many pasalubong items which will definitely remind you why the old name of San Miguel includes “Mayumo” (meaning “sweets”). They have Halayang ube, Pastllas de Leche, Yema, Polvoron. They also sell other non-“sweets” items such as empanada, chicharon, crispy mushroom. But their signature product is their very own KESONG PUTI.
What is Kesong Puti? It is the famous Filipino variant of cheese which is more salty than creamy. It tastes like the white part of salted egg and best for pandesal. Unlike normal cheese which takes time to make, kesong puti takes little time and effort. They have shown us how it is made using only warm, fresh carabao’s milk, warm vinegar, and salt. They were hand mixed and after just some minutes, voila! – there’s the kesong puti!
Sweet Bulakenya also developed other kesong puti –based product. They have the empanadang kesong puti - an empanada stuffed with kesong puti (tasty!); kesong puti nuggets – breaded kesong puti which taste is comparable to a cross between chicken nuggets and tofu nuggets (my little nephews loved them so much!); and kesong puti spread!
My family and I love all of their products (at least those that I was able to bring home)! Every San Miguel visitor should be wise enough not to leave the town without going to this store and bringing home their goods (which are definitely good!)
It can be found at 3001 Maharlika Highway, Santa Rita, San Miguel beside the Milktea Network. They can be reached at number 0915-939-3526 or at their Facebook page Sweet Bulakenya Foods.
READ THE PART 1 (Amazing Glaze Doughnuts, Milktea Network, Adam's Pizza) here: EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 1
READ THE PART 3 (BJ Snack House, Thumb's Up, Rasta Taco) here: EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 3
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