Pateros Food Heritage Tour

Pateros Food Heritage Tour (the balut capital of the Philippines) 🦆

Pateros is the smallest municipality both in population and in land area in Metro Manila. But more than that, it is known for its duck-raising industry.

It is believed that the municipality name was derived from pato (duck) and pateros (duck-raisers). The industry is a crucial part of Pateros' economy, and it reflects on its official seal: duck with duck eggs.

Perhaps the most unique food item in Pateros is Bibingkang abnoy. Bibingkang abnoy is made from bugok na itlog. This delicacy is usually paired with spiced vinegar.

It's already lunch time when I bought a piece of bibingkang aboy. The vendor told me I was his buena mano (first customer).

When I asked him "ano ang hindi puro?", he replied ''yung mga may harina, 'yung makakapal".

This is "lutong penoy higop". Has creamy consistency and is extremely delicious. I was told this is their best seller. Ate proudly said that she just sold 140 pieces of this today from a bulk order.

Salted eggs are everywhere! Anyway, the vendors told me that the majority of their supply came from Bulacan, not Pateros. They also source from Laguna, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac.

I was able to have a conversation with one elder. Sabi n'ya mga 80's nagdecline ang duck-raising industry ng mismong Pateros. Noon malawak ang ilog at kakaunti ang kabahayan. But due to urbanization, nawala na ang duck farms. He also added that before balut and abnoy are given for free due to the surplus of the town's supply.

I don't know if this is what the kuya told me na hindi puro. Pero my god, this bibingkang abnoy is extremely pungent. The taste and aroma can be offensive to some. Pero I find it unique.

I need to wash my hands due to the smell.

This is Pickled Itik. Masarap!

Duck meat is firmer and tastier (for me) compared to chicken. The only challenge is the small shards of duck bones that you need to remove or spit out.