From our national heroes’ favorite meals to Yaya Dub’s usual tambayan: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary in Bulacan

 

The name Bulacan is a shortened version for bulak-lakan or a derivative of the word bulak.

Located in the Central Luzon region, Bulacan province is known for its historical and religious sites like the Barasoain Church and the San Pascual de Baylon Church. But apart from these tourists’ attractions, the proud province of Bulacan offers a variety of meals and pasalubong perfect for Biyaheros who are into some serious food-tripping!

How to get there

Dubbed as the “Northern Gateway of Manila,” it will only take you an hour before you reach the province of Bulacan. There are two ways to reach Bulacan.

1. Go to Centris mall where you will find a UV Express going to Bulacan. The fare only costs P60.00 per passenger.

2. Another option is getting on a bus in Baliwag Transit. These buses will drop you off in different towns in Bulacan such as Malolos, Santa Maria, and Bocaue. Just like the UV Express, bus fares also start at P60.00 each.

What and where to eat in Malolos

Citang’s Kakanin

Fr. Kwatro Kantos St., Malolos, Bulacan

Are you craving for some sweet and sticky treat? Then why not try Citang’s kakanin that offers a variety of pasalubong for Biyaheros. This one-stop kakanin store sells kalamay, sapin-sapin, kutsinta, bibingka, and puto! Apart from the usual kakanin that we see in food stores, Citang’s kakanin are made even more special by adding twists to it just like this kakanin that looks like a delectable ube cake with leche flan on top of it. Yum!

Mercy’s Empanada de Kaliskis

This empanada will definitely complete your Malolos trip!

If you want to have a really flavorful adventure in Malolos, Bulacan, why not try the century-old merienda: the empanadang de kaliskis!

Established in 1820, this quaint store has been serving their locals and tourists the best empanada in Bulacan. And according to Aling Mercy,  the heir of this food store, shares that their empanada recipe was originally from the Spaniards.
Aling Mercy also adds that the secret to a delicious empanada de kaliskis depends on how they prepare its dough. To make their dough more flavorful, their technique is to lay a piece of dough on a banana leaf where they will roll and fold the dough into layers of crisp pastry.

Afterwards, these layers of crisp pastry is where they will stuff the chicken filling, vegetables and a slice of egg.

Quick facts! Empanada de kaliskis was Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s favorite merienda from Malolos, Bulacan. Wow!

Aside from the food that were once our National heroes’ favorite, Malolos, Bulacan also has this tradition that still exists amid the modern generation -- the pabalat. The pabalat is a way of using artsy paper to wrap candies like pastillas! These pastillas are not just made with pure carabao milk but with a touch of art too.

Quick facts! The first constitutional convention was held in Malolos, Bulacan in 1898.

St. Agatha’s Resort

Malolos, 3015 Bulacan

Bulacan may not be surrounded with bodies of water, but there are still resorts in the province where you can swim and stay in with your family. Agatha’s Resort is not just a haven to experience unique relaxation it also offers a variety of food like sisig, kare-kare, and their own version of chopsuey.

In other places, the usual chopsuey recipe is just primarily consists of mixed vegetables, meat and spices like salt and pepper. But in Malolos, Bulacan, Drew Arellano defines the resort’s version of chopsuey as a “Hawaiian shocker,” because they use chili as a major ingredient!

Quick facts! Chopsuey is not really a Filipino dish but an American Chinese cuisine.

Organo Gold Cafe

F. Santiago St., Santa Maria, Bulacan

According to a food survey, Organo Gold Cafe must be on every Biyaheros’ food-venture list because of its one-of-a-kind coffee and mocha. But, aside from a cup of brewing coffee, this cafe also serves different types of cuisine like the beef strip rice topping that will only cost you P80.00 per order, while the price of their crab stick roll and pasta starts from P100.00.

Aside from the tempting aroma of coffee and affordable meal, this cafe also has enough space to accommodate a number of customers who just want to spend their time with hanging out with family or just chitchatting with friends.

Quick facts! The Organo Gold Cafe is Yaya Dub’s favorite hangout place in Santa Maria, Bulacan!

Kukuco Nail Bar

7 JP Rizal St., Brgy. San Gabriel, Santa Maria, Bulacan

Looks like Drew Arellano is having a good time! I love your job, Drew!

Calming music and soothing aroma? What else could you ask for? Another Yaya Dub’s favorite tambayan is this non-traditional salon that uses all-natural skin care products in their massage therapy. And because this nail spa is known for its healthy skin care treatments, this salon also serves their best-seller specialty which is the meatless mushroom burger!

To match the relaxing massage, Kukuco Nail Bar’s mushroom burger is not just oozing with juiciness but with nutrients as well! 

Brimming with ideal destinations like historical sites and ecological attractions, the province of Bulacan is also home to delicious delicacies that will surely entice every Biyahero to come back for more! -- Tyne Villan/ BMS, GMA Public Affairs

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