#Certified Proud Alangalanganon

[joshuarickabogado-blog]

Witness the Alangalang Hidden Secret

                                     Alangalang, Leyte Philippines

As proud Alangalangon, let me showcase to you the hidden secret of my hometown, the place where i conceived, where i first see the beauty of the world, where  i grown up and becomes who i am today. As an Alangalanganon, it makes me proud that we are known because of our classic delicacies that suit to the preferences of today's generation,  the beautiful and instagrammable rivers and places to visit. Additionally, if you are fond of shopping we also has a mall to offer.

To know more about my beloved hometown, let us first know the history behind Alangalang, Leyte.

  History of Alangalang, Leyte

Lingganay is term familiar with cebuano or hiligaynon speaking people. but in many places, this is called “Campana”. 

This church bells, played an important role in our identity, this serves as the instrument in communicating with our Alangalanganon. during those times of moro raids, coastal settlements in different part of the country, rang their bells, prompting its settlers to flee for safety in the hinterland. when the Moro flee in Leyte, they raided various towns including Alangalang. Intentionally came here in our town when they heard about tale of an extraordinary golden bell that can resonate a sound so strong that will be heard miles away. 

one time, Moro pirates caught the people guarded the golden bell and then when they notice it they fled hastily with the bell. as they were closing the Bagka river they saw the Moro pirates following them. So, rather than surrendering the treasured bell of our town, they decided to dropped it into the deepest part of the river. 

after the Moro pirates had been driven away, the people tried to get back the bell. until now, people of Alangalang remains hopeful that someday, they will get it and back it lively sound.  

                                    Beautiful Spots to visit

The Most Holy Trinity Parish

If your searching for  serenity and peace, which is good for meditation and prayer i suggest to visit our parish, the Most Holy Trinity Parish.

Our parish is located in Brgy. San Antonio Poblacion near town plaza. One thing that  makes our church peculiar to others is that its structure is a cross- like shape. You will appreciate this at the top view of it. To be honest, i didn't notice this before until i notice it in our calendar that has a image of our church. This is a place were you can express your true self by voicing out all your problems as well as your achievements to Him.  

Inside the church you will see six saints that has an important contribution in spreading the gospel of the Lord centered by the golden tabernacle.

In the upper corners of the church walls, you will see the 14 station of cross that signifies the suffering of Jesus up to its resurrection.

If you wants to light candles and offer a prayer to God, you can visit the adoration chapel found inside the church ground. From this moment, i remember the days that my friends are  i  light candles and have some prayers altogether. How i wish to be back in this memorable moment of my life.

Municipality of Alangalang, Leyte

Our municipal hall is located at Real Street Brgy. St. Nino. The structure at the center is quiet old, but  the others were new. Inside the municipal , specifically in the area along Mayor's office you will see the different mayors of my town.

Outside the municipal hall, there's a monument of Dr. Jose Rizal erected which represents that Alangalangaon gives respect to our national hero and cherish all the sacrifices done by him.

Town Plaza

The plaza is located nearby the Most Holy Trinity Parish. This place has an especial part in every lives of Alangalanganon. It witness how people of Alangalang develop and grown up, even in times of ups and downs. That's why if you feel tired, dark and weary or even stress with your works in school or in workplaces try visit Alangalang town plaza and enjoy. There are many things you can enjoy like seesaws, money bar, slides and swings and experience childhood again. There are always people staying here with their friends and boyfriend/girlfriend especially high school students  to chill out and enjoy after the stressful works in school. If you feel hungry, don’t worry about it because their's a lot of street foods procurable within the plaza like kwek kwek, isaw, buko juice, fishball, lomi, barbeque and balot.

Briss River

This river is located at Brgy. Hubang Alangalang, Leyte. There are always visitors coming here every vacation like the last summer, there are a lot of visitant came here just to visit the cold fresh greenly water and its pure sand. Other says that this is a  Boracay version of our locality. I am proud to say that this is located where i am currently living, actually i grown up here. We, my childhood friends, my cousins  and i  always swim here when we were a child but sadly now that we are young adult already, we just go there to wash clothes. But, i am happy that there are always people visiting our very own briss river. Now, that semestral break is approaching i'm so excited to swim here.

Delicacies of Alangalang, Leyte

Filipino loves eating. We likes to eat a variety of food. It became part of our lives. Indeed, our day will not be completed without these exquisite Filipino food. But, sometimes food becomes boring as we prevalently consume it. Thus, sometimes we should try something that's not we usually eat. Let's try to have a taste of various foods meticulously prepared by our locals of each provinces that are all comfy in taste.

Do you feel the boredom of the foods present in your locality? Do feel discontented with things offered to you by your place? Wanna try a new place where you can cultivate freshly experience you haven't  gone through before? Why not try Alangalang, Leyte and be a CPA?

If you were in Leyte specifically in eastern part or anywhere in the country, try to visit Alangalang, Leyte. My very own town, Alangalang, Leyte have a lot to offer. Alanglang boasts their own kakanin that symbolizes  the richness and and closeness of my beloved town- Alanglang, Leyte.

Whether you're  craving for something with coconut milk or with rice flour, coconut meat, bananas or even root crops, Alangalang has it all for you. Listed below are the most popular native delicacies of my town you should crave for, make sure to have a bite of these before you leave Alangalang, Leyte.

Puto

This is a  round cupcakes like kakanin made from rice flour mixed with coconut milk and sugar. They are steamed for almost an hour and topped with sliced cheese. This kakanin is usually sells during market day also known as "tabo". This is usually packed containing 6  pieces for only Php 5. Actually, why i like this delicacy is not just its affordable price but the taste itself. You can savor  the aromatic fragrance of a vanilla syrup and the "anis" which gives additional flavor of this kakanin. During tabo day I also asked my mom to buy this whenever she is going to the market. Another thing you shouldn't miss about this is that puto is best paired with the classic Dinuguan. If you want try this classic puto. You can visit Alangalang Public Market, specifically during Tuesday and Friday (Tabo Day).

 Kutsinta

It is similarly with puto, the differences only is its texture and color. Kutsinta is a brown cupcake like kakanin that can be seen also alongside with the puto vendor but usually they are present in the same stall. This kakanin are made from flour, sugar, annatto powder and lye water. It's best to eat with grated coconut that gives additional flavor of milkiness to the kakanin. Same with puto it is sold 6 pieces for Php 5 as well. Before, way back 2018, their is someone who sell this kakanin in our barangay through his pedicab. What i like to his kakanin is you can buy it by means of rice, 1 canned of rice ( salmon in our dialect) is equivalent to 10 pieces of kutsinta. Sadly, i didn't see him anymore, maybe he have another route to sell his gelatin-like kutsinta. But, if i saw him again i will surely by a lot.

Biko

Biko is basically rice cakes topped with latik. Latik is a crunchy and sweet stuff made  from caramelized coconut milk and sugar. This kakanin is rarely seen in the market because it is usually not for sale. Biko is quiet big on birthday, fiesta, christmas and even new year as they are served as dessert. This kakanin is usually seen after harvesting period of rice.  A slice of biko would surely go well with a cup of coffee or perhaps tea. Its great to eat at any time of the day. However, too much eating of this delicacies may lead to inappetence. That's why if you want to eat biko make sure that you can consummate all you have served. In addition, this month of October is a period of  harvesting rice. Thus, we are fortunate because we can have a taste this seasonal kakanin. Be sure that you will try this before the stock last.

Turon

Turon is delicacy made from ripe banana called "saba" dipped in caramelized sugar and rolled in a spring roll wrapper then fried. Saba banana is in medium size yet chubbier compare with other bananas This snack taste sweet, crunchy and satisfying. I know guys that we're all familiar with this because we typically made it at home because we have a lot of bananas here in Alangalang, Leyte. This kakanin is mostly patronized by students. I can proved it because im one of them. During my senior high school days, after our classes my friends and i usually go to the stalls behind Jollibee selling turon, banana cue, and kamote cue to buy some. Also, before we go to Church to pray we often passed by to that stalls because this where found near the church. Why is that this snack is being loved by students, simply because its very affordable, you can taste this as low as Php 5 only. I am not shock if students opt to buy this. Eating this is best when you were with your friends.

Sarongsong

If you were not contented with the puto and biko. If you were craving for more rice-made delicacies, Alangalang has one more to offer. What is it? It' s sarongsong. This delicacy is similarly with puto, both were made of powdered- milled glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and brown sugar over a steamer. Unlike puto, sarongsong uses banana leaf shaped into a cone. Consequently, the banana leaf gives an additional aroma to the kakanin. In my family tradition, we usually make this in a special celebration like Christmas and new year. Also, when someone of our relatives is going to Manila. Thus, i am so excited for Christmas and taste my Lola's special sarongsong.

And now you already know the hidden secret of my beloved hometown, what are you waiting for visit Alangalang, Leyte with your friends or even with your girlfriend/ boyfriend and have a momentous time with one another.