Experience Bantayan Island, Cebu! | Biyahe ni Drew

Summary

The script highlights the stunning beauty of Bantayan Island, Cebu, known for its pristine beaches, fresh seafood, and unique local culture. It introduces the island's rich marine life, including giant shellfish and the distinct street food, while showcasing adventurous diving for binga (giant shellfish). Local residents, like Tatay Lolito, share their deep connection to fishing and how it sustains their livelihood. The island also offers natural beauty with its caves, mud masks, and health benefits. With a focus on the vibrant food culture, the video offers a glimpse of a hidden paradise where visitors can experience unforgettable flavors and stunning landscapes.

Takeaways

• 😀 The island's name originates from the word 'bantayan,' meaning 'watchtower,' built to protect the area from pirates.
• 😀 The island is rich in seafood, with some of the freshest and most unique dishes in the Philippines, including giant shellfish and exotic street food.
• 😀 The Binga, a giant shellfish, is a local delicacy, often eaten raw, and the collection process is extremely dangerous.
• 😀 Local fisherman Tatay Lolito dives using an improvised compressor diving method to catch Binga, sometimes risking his life for just 15 pieces.
• 😀 The seafood is so fresh that even the bones of fish are used in creative ways, like making fish bone chips.
• 😀 Miriam, a local entrepreneur, pioneered the making of fish tapa and continues to experiment with fish-based recipes.
• 😀 One of the island's popular exports is dried fish, specifically Buwad, with a special version called Labtingaw that is only dried for a short period.
• 😀 The island's lagoon is a scenic spot where tourists can enjoy natural beauty and even try a unique mud mask with minerals for skin rejuvenation.
• 😀 The locals discovered a giant clam and mineral-rich mud beneath their village, which is now part of the island’s tourism experience.
• 😀 A unique local drink, Lamaw, combines buko juice with biscuits and other ingredients, offering a distinct sweet flavor popular among locals and tourists alike.

Q & A

How did the island get its name?

The name of the island comes from the word 'bantayan,' meaning 'watch tower.' A tower was built here in the past to protect the province from pirates.

What makes the seafood on Bantayan Island unique?

Bantayan Island is known for its fresh and unique seafood, including giant shellfish, fish with no waste (even the bones are consumed), and exotic street foods. The island's rich ocean is the source of these delicacies.

What is the diving method used to collect shellfish?

The local fishermen, like Tatay Lolito, use a method called 'compressor diving,' where they rely on improvised plastic hose pipes to breathe while underwater. This method is dangerous, with dives reaching depths of about 8 to 15 meters.

What is the economic impact of the seafood industry on the island?

Fishing is the primary livelihood of the people on Bantayan Island, helping them support their families. For example, Tatay Lolito was able to send his children to school through his fishing earnings.

What is 'binga' and how is it prepared?

'Binga' refers to a giant shellfish found around the island. It is commonly eaten raw, and locals sometimes prepare it as 'kinilaw'—a dish made by mixing raw fish or shellfish with vinegar, onions, and other seasonings.

What is the local specialty called 'buwad'?

'Buwad' is dried fish, and it comes in various types. A notable local variation is 'labtingaw,' which is only dried for one to two hours, making it less dry and more tender than other types of dried fish.

What innovative dish does Miriam make from fish?

Miriam has innovated a new recipe for fish tapa, which is made from fish instead of pork or chicken. It's a flavorful dried fish dish that has become popular among both locals and tourists.

What unique product is made from fish bones in Bantayan Island?

The locals of Bantayan Island create 'fish bone chips' using fish bones, particularly from the subago (filefish). These chips are a popular snack and are sold in local markets.

What is the significance of the 'Mud Mask' found in the island's cave?

A special cave on Bantayan Island contains mud believed to have healing properties for the skin. Locals use this mud to make a natural face mask that is said to improve skin quality and reduce the appearance of aging.

What is 'Lamaw' and how is it unique?

Lamaw is a unique buko juice concoction from Bantayan Island. It combines coconut meat, orange-flavored soda, condensed milk, and biscuits, creating a sweet and thick drink that is popular among both locals and tourists.