Visayas

I always look forward to a trip to the Visayas, where the seafood is pristine and the people speak with a sweet lilt to their Cebuano or Ilonggo. We traveled to Cebu, to be hosted by the Escaño, Unchuan, and Moraza families. Then it was off to Iloilo City, Iloilo where Lourdes “Bopeep” Ladrido took us to places and people that represent Ilonggo food. There can never be any Visayan trip for me without visiting my cousin Lyn Besa-Gamboa, who lives in Silay, a short drive from Bacolod. In Silay, Maget Gaston Locsin showed us how to make bunuelos and pancit Molo. We also had the good luck to meet up with Charlie Co and his wife, Ann Legazpi, whose aunts make the famous piaya of Silay, and another aunt, Emma Lacson, who is famous for her empanadas and lumpia ubod.