Bringing home pasalubong for loved ones waiting at home is a heartfelt display of love and affection. It shows that you have thought of them during your travels and want to share a piece of your journey with them.
In the northern part of the Philippines, there are several pasalubong centers that offer a wide array of delectable treats. More importantly, they offer local items produced in the area.
Through our many NLEX Lakbay Norte trips, we’ve rounded up five of the best places to get pasalubong items to bring home.
1. Aying’s Pastillas in Nueva Ecija
Aying’s Pastillas in Cabiao has been crafting the finest pastillas for over three decades. Each pastillas is a labor of love, made with locally sourced carabao’s milk. Apart from the original flavor, they offer an assortment of flavors, including Langka, Yema, Keso, Buko Pandan, and Ube. Aying’s Pastillas is a must-visit pasalubong center, where you can witness the meticulous process of creating these sweet treats.
2. HOLA in Pampanga
HOLA is an original brand from Pampanga that serves irresistible, delectable treats. Located in SM City San Fernando Downtown, its promise of pillow-soft and generously filled bread that is made in Pampanga is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. One of their star products is the soft and fluffy HOLA Cheesebread Bites, which are filled with their signature yema (custard) and cream cheese fillings. These bite-sized treats are perfect for indulging in a burst of sweet and creamy flavors. They also excel at crafting other delightful bread creations, including cheese rolls, ube overload, Spanish bread, yema cheesebread bites, cheese floss, and ensaymaditas.
3. Zambales Pasalubong Center in Zambales
Located in Iba, the Zambales Pasalubong Center offers a wide range of local products. From the Zambales dried mango and cashew apple to dried tamarind and fruit wines, you can find a variety of treats to bring home. The hub also showcases handicrafts and unique items from Zennor Hydroponics Farm, such as lettuce chips and fragrant basil cracklings.
4. Susie’s Cuisine in Pampanga
Susie’s Cuisine is a beloved institution in Pampanga, known for its dedication to preserving and sharing the region’s rich food history. Started in 1972, Susie’s Cuisine began as a small canteen and has now become a go-to place for delectable kakanin (sweet rice cakes) and pancit luglug. When you travel to North Luzon, including destinations near Clark International Airport, a visit to SM City Clark, where Susie’s Cuisine is located, is a must. PS: They also serve delicious halo-halo.
5. Edelyn’s Homemade Nuts in Pampanga
Edelyn’s has been serving up homemade nutty goodness since 2003 and has established itself as a go-to destination for nut lovers. Their expertise lies in creating savory delicacies using high-quality peanuts, cashew nuts, and garlic chips. Their product lineup includes Cashew Delights, Bicol’s Nutty Goodness, Hearty Garlic Munchers, Homegrown Peanut Classics, Scrumptious Puffed Corns, Savory Seed Cruncher, and Indulgent Cookie Creations. Visit their store at the ground level of SM City San Fernando Downtown to experience the joy of snacking on these homemade goodies firsthand.
6. Sasmuan Delicacies in Clark
Located in SM Clark, Sasmuan Delicacies is renowned for its milky and mouthwatering polvoron. Made with local and pure ingredients, their polvoron comes in a variety of flavors, such as the classic butter and choco, as well as more unique flavors like Cookies and Cream and Ube-Pinipig.