Reason#69 Bulalo Soup for the Soul

Go ahead, use it as a straw if you wish. (photo by Rory Alcantara)

Nice to know:

Beef bone marrow in vegetable soup. The soup should be served hot!

Tap the marrow out of the bone, but you may suck it out if that's how you prefer to eat it.

What people are saying:

Sabaw pa lang ulam na! Kahit sa inyo na yung buto. - Alvin

Reason#56 Mais

Bright yellow mais. Sweeeet! - photo by Rory

Nice to know:

This common street food gives you bang for your buck because it really fills you up. Plus, it takes quite a while for you to consume, especially when it's freshly "fished" from a giganormous can of hot water.

Why it's in the list:

I have fond memories of eating mais while walking home from school, creating a trail of yellow mess in the process.

Reason#40 Baluuuut!

photo by Chattee Lara of www.katherinevlara.com; No, those are not Chattee's hands .

Nice to know:

Pinoys call it balut, while others call it disgusting. It is a one-day old boiled duckling egg.

To order, simply wait for the magbabalut at your favorite street corner. He will announce his arrival by shouting "Baluuuuut!"

Why it's in the list:

It's pampalakas ng tuhod!

We always invite our non-Pinoy guests to try out balut. It's a form of mini-torture for them at first, but they usually end up requesting for another round of balut... and local beer, of course.

Ang sarap ng sabaw ng balut, lalo na pag mainit o bagong luto. - Rory Alcantara

Reason#36 Taho

10-peso cup of taho - photo contributed by Rory Alcantara

Nice to know:

Made up of soft tofu, arnibal (mixture of vanilla and brown sugar) and sago!

What they say:

Who needs a megaphone when you can hire taho vendors who can shout "taho!" in a seemingly effortless manner!

When I was still in graveyard shift at the laundry shop, I've always been waiting for Manong Taho before 7am! Sarap simulan ang umaga kapag may taho! - Rina Alcantara

Reason#19 King of the City Roads

A bloody red jeepney, captured by Sally Abella

They come in different colors! - photo by Rory Alcantara

Nice to know:

The most inexpensive way to travel in the Metro. For just 7 pesos or roughly US$0.15, one can cover a distance of up to 4 kilometers. Add 1.50 pesos or US$0.03 for every kilometer beyond that.


It is the undisputed “King of the Road” because the drivers of these jeepneys make up their own rules. They can (and will) stop anywhere they please: intersections, pedestrians’ lanes, in front of your car, etc. Depending on your participation, this audacity can be either a blessing or a curse. It can be quite convenient because you can hop off  and land near your destination… a blessing. But if you’re driving and your car is right behind one… you curse.

Why it's in the list:

For the everyday frugal commuter, the jeepney is an ever-dependable mode of transportation.

If the jeepney is packed and you can’t wait for another one, you can  sabit or hang on to any of the rusty bars and handles. But if you decide to do so, you must literally hang on for dear life as it rumbles and weaves through traffic. You should really try this at least once in your lifetime.

Reason#49 Philippine Eagle Owl

Sshhh! He's taking a nap. (photo quietly captured by Rory Alcantara)

Notice his high-protein diet. (again, photo by Rory Alcantara)

Nice toknow:

His scientific name is Bubo philippensis. We're not sure if he appreciates being called "Bubo", but the name sticks.

Why it's in the list:

It's a huge owl found only in the Philippines.