I want to start trying candies and treats for different areas of the world. To start off this little adventure, I’m going with Filipino candy, treats, and desserts. Why the Philippines? Because I’m half-Filipino!
And you know what they say? “Half-Filipino is better than none!”
Mom my is from Manila, Philippines. She met my father while they were both in school at BYU-Hawaii.
For a variety of reasons, my mom raised us very American, so I don’t know as much as I probably should about the Philippines or Filipino culture.
In fact, when I go to Filipino restaurants, I feel embarrassed that I don’t know how to pronounce anything or even what it is. I feel kind of like a fraud.
It’s Never Too Late to Learn (and hopefully I don’t get too fat)
I’m now 40 years old and I’m looking to exercise the old noggin’ in something unrelated to work. So I figure, “Why not try to learn more about the Philippines (and other places in the world) using my unrelenting sweet tooth as my guide?”
I’m hoping this project won’t make me too fat.
One thing I know about Filipino culture is that if it did make me too fat, my grandma would tell me so.
“Lee, you are getting fat!” is something I heard more than I wished as a young boy.
But then again, it made me feel all the better when she didn’t say that as I got into my teenage years. If she didn’t say that, I knew I was doing pretty well.
My grandmother has since passed away. And my mom would not straight up tell me I’m fat. So I have no one to let me know if this project is making me too fat.
Maybe you, dear reader, can be my Filipino grandmother?
My List of Filipino Candy, Treats, and Desserts
I went onto the r/Filipino subreddit and asked people on there what their favorite Filipino candy and desserts are. I used that (and my own experience) to make this list.
- Pastillas
- Pastillas (carabao milk)
- Pastillas de mani
- Toasted Pastillas
- Polvaron
- Chocnut
- Ginnatan
- Pochi
- Moonbits
- Sampalok (Tamarind Candy)
- Leche Flan
- Butong-butong
- Bandi (Peanut brittle)
- Bitso-bitso (crispy caramel coated rice cake)
- Panutsa (dried caramelized shredded coconut meat candy)
- Silvanas
- white rabbit
- Minami
- hawhaw
- Halo-halo
- Cassava cake
- tsaka Langka-Ube
- Ginataang Halo-halo (Binignit)
- Ginataang palawan
- Pilipit
- Pili Mazapan
- Minoron
- Yung langka
- Cloud 9 chocolate bars
- Frutos
- panucha
- Champi
- Samani
- Hani
- Yema
- Bukayo
- champorado
- Maxx
- Taho
- Flat tops
- Kutsinta
- Potchi
I’m not sure if I’ll get to all of these, but I’m going to give it a try!
If you have any ideas or think I’m missing something good, go to my YouTube channel and leave a comment on any of these videos. Thanks!
