Your Pasalubong Guide to Luzon

Every once in a while, we all need some R&R. Especially after breaking our back at work for months straight. If you’re anything like me, you like to unwind and kick back by getting out of Manila every now and then. But you surely can’t go home empty-handed, and with this list of key pasalubongs from everywhere in Luzon, you won’t have to.

Ilocos Region - Northwestern part of Luzon

- Composes 58% of the regions population
- Regional center is San Fernando City, La Union

Pasalubong:
- Fried empanadas from Laoag (Dap-Ayan ti Ilocos Norte food court)
- Royal Empanadas from Vigan
- Longganisa
- Bagnet

Cagayan Valley - Northeastern part of Luzon

- Tilapia capital of the Philippines
- The Cagayan River is the country’s longest river

(For a comprehensive list of bakeries in the metro, click here)

Pasalubong:
- Tuguegarao Pancit or “Batil Patung”
- Carabao milk candy
- Peanut products
- Longganisa

Central Luzon

Bulacan - Biko, Suman w/ Langka & Buko
Bataan - Kasoy
Nueva Ecija - Longganisang Batotay (Beef longganisa)
Pampanga - Tibok tibok. palabok, sisig
Zambales - Pastillas de leche

CALBARZON - Southwestern part of Luzon

Cavite - Chocolate-covered pulvoron, Muscovado sugar
Laguna - Buko pie, Espasol
Batangas - White bukayo
Rizal - Kasoy
Quezon - Lucban longganisa, pancit Lucban, pitsi-pitsi, broas

Puerto Princesa - hopia ube, pulot (honey), sukang pinakadyot (vinegar with a kick)

BICOL REGION - Pili tart, pinangat, bicol express
CAR - Tapuey (fermented rice wine), Benguet coffee, peanut & cashew brittle, ube haleya, strawberry jams, lengua de gato, kulangot (coco jelly), longganisa

(Check out the best Filipino Restaurants in the metro here)