FOUND: CHICHA-RABAO

Chicharabao. Something interesting from an unexpected place, Tugegarao City.

Lest you're lost, Tugegarao  is the  capital of the province of Cagayan, north of the Philippines. It's one of the hottest places in the country with temperature reaching as high a 38 °C (100 °F) during summer.

And yes, you guessed it right, the chicharon is not made of pork rind but deep-fried carabao skin. It is  has less fat and all the crunch. The one I got to taste was also a bit spicy.

It's for sale in most pasalubong stores in Tugegarao but it was developed by Lighthouse Cooperative which hires locals to make the crunchy treats as part of the local government's One Town One Product (OTOP) efforts.

Address: 30 Luna St. cor. Taft St., Tugegarao City
Telephone: (078) 304-06-35

TASTED: SALAD WITH CHICHARON at CAFE BY THE RUINS DUA

Now that's a salad!

Had this at Cafe by the Ruins Dua in Baguio- lettuce, watercress, green mango slivers, tomatoes and onions topped with chicharon (dried and fried salted pork rind) with Upland Dressing. Serving can be shared by 2 to 4 persons.

It might look confusing but the ingredients of the salad work well together. The  sourness of the green mango slivers and the vinegar-based dressing ties everything in.  I never thought I'd say this but I find there's too much chicharon, it's almost like ulam (viand).

Address: Upper Session Road, Baguio City (near Mario's)

Telephone: (074) 442 4010