A month before taking my vacation last year, I’ve booked two local tours. One of which is the Ultimate Kapampangan Tour. I really looked forward to this tour organized by fellow blogger Anton Diaz, with Ivan Man Dy, Ivan Henares and Spanky Enriquez.
The tour is being arranged ideally for 30 persons. We met up before 7:00 AM in Makati and the bus left on time heading to Pampanga. Since this is a culinary tour and that we were warned that we will be eating a lot throughout the day as intended, I did not take breakfast at home. True enough, just as the bus was still parked near 6750, Spanky handed crispy ensaimada to each of us. It is uniquely delicious that I tried to source it before returning here, but I didn’t find one. Also, Ivan handed a bayong (I like it so much that I brought it here, I’m attaching different scarves to it) to us. In the evening, it was more than filled out of Kapampangan goodies.
EVERYBODY’S CAFE
We first stopped in Everybody’s Café in San Fernando, Pampanga. Aside from the accommodating owner and staff, a super Pinoy/kapampangan breakfast welcomed us. It was intended to be a light breakfast since a five-hour lunch in Angeles City awaits us. The pandesal, rebuelto, kakanins and the freshly prepared batirol were good. This was when Anton approached me, “You’re wits and nuts, right?”, which was a bit surprising because I provided my real name in the registration without mention about this blog. The nicest thing about the organizers is that they took care of us very well and made us feel comfortable with the group since the first hour.
After the breakfast, we toured around the old houses and churches in Betis and Bacolor (details in succeeding post). While on our way to Angeles City, trivia and games were conducted by the awesome guide Ivan Man Dy. We were also served a home made buko sherbet (available in Brgy. San Jose, San Fernando, Pampanga). It’s not too sweetened that you would really like it. I actually had two servings. Yum.
5 WAYS LECHON BY CLAUDE TAYAG
One of the highlights of the tour is the five-hour lunch in Bale Dutung (House of Woods) in Angeles City. This is the residence of the multi-faceted artist and chef Claude (pronounced as “Clawd”) Tayag. He and his wife arrange a wonderful dining experience for selected people. The organizers of the tour are known to them. Hence, we were accommodated. He prepared the five-way lechon for us.
At least three long tables were arranged, set in a Filipino dining style. I went to the tour with no one I personally know. Starting with the breakfast, two gracious women of my senior became my consistent dining mates, whom later on I learned are sisters of a known wellness consultant. All in all, it was interesting and fun to have spent time with all the people who joined in the tour – primarily because they also love to eat, explore stuff, and take photos.
At 12 noon, we were served crackers with crab meat, pesto dips, and buro as appetizers. The dalandan juice with muscovado was a killer drink (I want more!). In between the five-way lechon, pako (fern) salad, lumpiang ubod (the best with chilli sauce), and chicken inasal were served to us.
Now, here’s the exciting five-way lechon:
(1) To enjoy lechon skin with liver sauce
(2) Piniritong lechon (or Prichon) with soft tortillas, assorted condiments (includes kimchi), with Claude 9 oriental sauce
(3) Sinigang na lechon with assorted native vegetables
(4) Inasal na lechon ribs with grilled eggplant boat
My most favorite!!!
(5) Inasadong lechon pata with assorted buttered vegetables
It’s very interesting to know how to fully and properly enjoy lechon. Now, what to do with the aftermath? 
I was chronicling the time of each serving of dish and the lunch really happened in 5- continuous hour pigging, err, eating. At 5:00 PM, two desserts were served to us: two types of suman and creme brulee (I absolutely liked!).
If you’re wondering if anyone of us got awfully bloathed, none. Gladly, Anton gave us tips on how to properly enjoy the long hours lunch. But it’s actually amazing, since the food were intentionally served in moderation and per batch, pigging out became manageable. In addition, Claude’s place is very relaxing that you can freshen up and roam around to give ample time to digest a bit.
We left Bale Dutung at 5:30 PM and we were headed back to San Fernando to watch the Giant Lantern Festival (details in last of the series of this post). On our way there, the organizers distributed some of Kapampangan specialties (there’s no need to buy pasalubongs) such as Nathaniel’s puto, Aurely’s inverted brazo de Mercedes and Imang Salud’s ensaimada (I forgot to take a photo).
It was a wonderful dining experience. Great food, great place, great company, great hosts and tour organizers, everything in it is good.
The next Ultimate Kapampangan Tour will be on 14th of February to coincide with the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. Make your reservations now by sending an email to fun@oldmanilawalks.com.
For Bale Dutung experience alone, you may inquire from Mary Anne Tayag through mquiotayag@yahoo.com and she can be reached at 0917-5359198 or (045) 888-5163. Strictly by reservation, minimum of 12 persons at P1,500 each.
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logI didn’t know there are so many ways to prepare the lechon! I’d like to have a taste of that Inasadong lechon pata with assorted buttered vegetables. Looks very yummy to me.
It’s nice naman that there are tours such as this of bloggers. Hope I can join one someday!
*drools*…*drools some more*
I wonder if my mom would mind me skipping my whole wedding ceremony in the PH and just go on one of these tours. Your blog is bad for my diet. Or maybe good, so long as I just eat with my eyes
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Ay Wits thats a great tour. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been to Pampanga many time but have not tried those food. Yumm!!!
OMG…I am so freaking hungry. This sounds like a great tour. Thanks for the delicious photos.
grabee jo, what a tour! mukhang sulit na sulit! look at the food! from the look, and sound of it, talagang nag-enjoy ka. i would love to go on a tour like that!
your description of claude tayag’s place reminds of that of ugu bigyan in quezon. parang same concept din.
OMG! you made me feel hungry and crave for lechon. kakasira ata ng diet itong post mo eh. hehehe. sabayan pwede naman magpakabusog lang sa tingin.
a really great tour. thanks for sharing all those delicious photos.
Awww, naghahanap na nga ako ng weighing scale dito eh, love this post, how much did you pay for the entire trip Jo? I would love to experience this too.
food! yum! and i like the way they looked, talagang appetizing ha, maganda!
Awesome entry!!!
Yey, you met Anton, Spanky and Ivan! They’re such nice guys ‘no?
I wanted to join this trip! Maybe I’ll join the next batch. Your post is very encouraging.
wow sarap. sana sinama mo ako hehehe
so yummy naman all those food!
This post is a gastronomic feast to the eyes! I didn’t realize there are many ways to enjoy lechon. Great photos! It must have been a great trip both to the mind and palate. Made me feel hunger pangs.
I would love to try this out!
How much iss the tour?
I am familiar with Claude since we buy his Inasal marinade all the time. The hubby loves it! But lately, it’s been out of stock in Shopwise…
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Ano ba ‘to? Puro nalang nakakatakam ang post mo! Nakaka homesick tuloy dahil sa lechon! : )
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pareho tayo, i also kept a native bag like that from amanpulo — i also tied a scarf around it! glad you enjoyed pampanga and its great food
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Hi Jo! sayang di tyo nagka chance na magkita. nagutom ako sa post mno! btw, did u like buro? im from pampanga eh kaya we love buro! ahehehhe
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Never heard of crispy ensaymada before… looks like massarap and hindi messy
wow.. the dishes on the pics are really scrumptious. Pinoy native food at its best
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ei sis ang sarap ng mga food ha!ginutom ako.San ka ngpabook ng tour mo? Parang gusto ko din gawin yan..thanks for the book suggestion dear. I included it on the list for voting.
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hay, i was interested in joining this tour but i was just too busy so i didn’t seriously consider it. i really must make time for it next time. buro pa lang solb na e. but the lechon, mmmm
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wow.. you went with Anton’s group. How was it?
The food looks grrrrreat! 
Just blog-hopping.. I’m a friend of Anton as well. =) Was supposed to join this group also… but backed-out due to budget. Hehe!
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this looks super fun! i know ivan mandy as he’s tied up in some way with the fine dining resto (La Cocina de Tita Moning) where I work part-time. i guess i really need to experience this tour myself..hopefully soon.for now, i’ll just do away with checking out your other similarly-themed posts.
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I didn’t realize that all I haven’t really enjoyed lechon to the max the way that you and your tour friends did. I’m JEALOUS!!!! Hahaha
I hope I can get on one of those tours the next time I’m in Manila.
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Ultimate indeed! The inverted Brazo de Mercedez looks so delectable!
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have you got the same tour in May ? second week maybe. thanks
Hi Naomi, I think they have a tour this March. I have no idea yet about May tour. I forwarded a copy of your comment to the organizers. I copied you in the email.:)
Same here! All I know is just the “papak” style especially the balat.
I think they organize the kapampangan tour at least twice a year.
Haha, that made me laugh! In the tour, there were a number of foreigners and balikbayan. I hope you’ll have lechon when you come in October. =)
Dining in Claude Tayag’s house is a wonderful experience. Try it some time.
It’s super sulit! Try the kapampangan tour next time. I’ve never explored Quezon yet. I’ve heard it’s a foodie’s haven, too.
The photos still make me hungry, too. Especially the pork skin!
Haha, that’s why i think i gained 10 kilos during the vacation, lol.
The tour costed P4,800, it was from 7am until past midnight. Sobrang kain, with pasyal. I’ll post about the other details next time. =)
It looked and tasted real yummy!
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour! We never had the chance to chat with Spanky. After he distributed the ensaimada, he had to leave at 7am. May family gathering.
My vacation related posts will probably make us all hungry. I did a lot of pigging out!
Oo nga ‘no? Sana pala namention ko sayo before ako nagpabook.
It was a great feast.
I highly recommend this tour. Sobrang sulit.
I loved the inasal! The December tour costed P4,800.
Heehee, kakamiss talaga lechon ‘no?
Loving the bag! Also bought an eco bag with salakot design from Kulturang Pilipino.
Oo nga eh. It was a whirlwind vacation. Hindi bale, there’s next time pa naman.
I’m not really used to eating buro. But when I tasted the one from Claude’s, I liked it so much!
I’m still craving for that crispy ensaimada. Very yummy.
Through Ivan. You may send an email to him at fun@oldmanilawalks.com. The next tour will be on 14th of February. The December tour is annually held in time for the Giant Lantern Fest.
That’s true, appetizers pa lang solved na. Hope you can join in the next tour.
Hi Cza, it was a great tour. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was supposed to dine in La Cocina after my tour in National Museum (still drafting my post). Headed to somewhere else instead due to time constraints.
i see…had you went to la cocina, we should’ve met.maybe next time.hehe.
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i see…had you went to la cocina, we should’ve met.maybe next time.i’m the tour guide there. hehe.
edelweizas last blog post..Done with Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series
I think they regularly hold the December tour in time for the giant lantern fest. I hope you can join this one in your next vacation. It’s fun!
I think it’s especially good if coming straight from the fridge.