Taal Batangas Foods and Crafts
Posted by on December 4, 2009
When we toured Tall Batangas last October, we got the chance to experience the foods and crafts Batangas, is known for.
Probably, one of the most popular signature product of Batangas is the balisong. According to our guide, most of the well-crafted balisong is from the Heritage town of Taal. we also got to see how they do some tricks in opening and closing the balisong. It was scary. One wrong move and you’ll get your hand wounded.
While the men of Taal is busy making balisong, its women are busy doing embroidery, or locally known as pagbuburda. The women here are so passionate about their craft. Fabrics are embroidered with various designs. When we got there, they were already busy doing projects for the Christmas season.
We also got to see how a sawali is made. Sawali is a bamboo mat usually used in drying palay. Sometimes it is also used as a wall for houses. This mat is very tough and can last for years.
Another product that is proudly made in Taal is the walis tingting. These are made using the spine of coconut leaves tied together.
After checking out the crafts, we then get to experience the Taal foods. We had Empanada which is filled with vegetables, freshly made panutsa, which is peanut cooked in melted sugar, and Espasol. The Empanada is quite heavy on the tummy but very delicious.
So next time, before you grab that balisong or have a bite of espasol. Think of Taal. That’s where these products come from.
My mother’s hometown is in Balayan, Batangas and its been a while that I have not been there though the last time me and my bf were went to the Taal Volcano in November 2008 .