The city government of Catbalogan in Samar is putting its rich culinary heritage in the spotlight with the launch of a new food tourism initiative to attract visitors through a curated “food trip” experience.
Labeled as the Secret Kitchens of Samar Food Crawl Series: Flavors of Catbalogan, the program was introduced in partnership with the Samar provincial government. It aims to showcase Catbalogan’s diverse flavors and local dining spots, highlighting its status as a top food destination.
The food crawl is an immersive, multistop experience that goes beyond dining, offering a narrative journey into the province’s culinary heritage. It highlights traditional recipes, local ingredients and the stories of the people behind each dish.
At the center of the carefully curated food crawl are well-loved eateries and hidden culinary gems across the city. Among the featured stops is the Catbalogan City Market.
At the local market, visitors can sample traditional dishes like pakdol (savory carabao meat soup) and lomo (pork, liver and intestines soup), along with rice delicacies such as suman (rice cake) and puto (steamed rice cake). Also included is Tina’s Garden, known for its halo-halo and pork sandwich.
Another highlight is Charito’s Delights, where visitors can buy “pasalubong” items such as pili-based delicacies and local specialties like tamalos (tender pork belly bathed in a thick, spicy, peanut-based sauce), baduya (deep-fried) nga pasayan (shrimp) and baduya nga ube.
Also on display are innovative ice cream flavors such as lemongrass, ginger and avocado. Seafood lovers can also enjoy a variety of tahong (green mussel) dishes—from fried and grilled to lumpia-style preparations.
Other featured stops include Tony’s Kitchen, popular for ugat, kueking and patatim; the Palabok House by Haropoy, which serves local favorites such as odelas, hinaplag and callos; and the Bularan Strip, which offers a wide selection of dried fish products.
Officials from the Department of Tourism, including Assistant Secretary Christine Joy Cari and Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes, commended the initiative, noting that food plays a key role in shaping how travelers experience and remember destinations.
“We are not just showing dishes—these are stories we grew up sharing at family tables, in kitchens, during fiestas, and even on ordinary days. By showcasing Catbalogan’s secret kitchens, we are honoring our ancestors while opening opportunities for our communities today,” Cari said in a statement on Monday.
Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan emphasized that the program not only promotes tourism but also supports local businesses and helps preserve culinary traditions.
“Through this program, tourists will surely return — not only because of our delicious food but also because of the stories behind them, cherished and preserved by our families,” Tan said.
To accommodate different types of visitors, three food tour packages have been developed.
The “Pamahaw, Pakihampang ngan Paningudto” package, priced at PHP1,080 per person, offers a five-hour morning experience from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. It includes market visits, bakery stops, restaurant dining, and a demonstration of how tamalos are prepared.
Another option is the “Merienda ngan Pamasyada” package, priced at PHP230 per person and running from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering a shorter afternoon tour that combines snacks with visits to cultural sites such as the city museum and the capitol grounds.
Meanwhile, the “Merienda ngan Panigab-i” package, priced at PHP940 per person, runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., blending food stops with city tours and barbecue dining.
Optional visits to the historic San Bartolome Church are also available with all packages, adding a cultural and religious dimension to the culinary journey.
The initiative also serves as a platform for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the food sector, providing greater visibility, expanded market access, and stronger integration into Samar’s growing tourism value chain. (PNA)
