(SPOT.ph) In case you haven't realized it yet, it's September—which is pretty much the start of the Christmas season in the Philippines. And is it even really the holidays in these parts without Jose Mari Chan's Christmas in Our Hearts album playing in the background? The holidays, after all, is coming very soon, and with it comes the advent of the traditional Christmas Eve dinner known as Noche Buena, where Filipino families and friends gather 'round and celebrate each other's company with lots of good food.
In a virtual session with Summit Media, we asked the singer-songwriter what types of food he goes for on Noche Buena. He shared that growing up, his lola would often take them to midnight mass or Simbang Gabi; then, the whole family would eat together when they get home. In more recent years, they hardly go to midnight masses anymore, so they no longer eat Noche Buena at the usual time slot. Still, Jose Mari Chan's got his share of favorite dishes and drinks—and we've listed them below. In case this gets you hungry, we've included our picks for where you can order them, too.
Also read: 10 Underrated Jose Mari Chan Christmas Songs to Add to Your Holiday Playlist
These are the favorite Noche Buena eats of Jose Mari Chan:
Ibos
As Jose Mari Chan grew up in Iloilo, one Ilonggo treat comes to his mind: Ibos, or suman sa ibos, a traditional rice cake that's got glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, formed into small logs, and wrapped in leaves of coconut, banana, or buri palm. It's then steamed, resulting in a sticky, chewy treat that's subtly aromatic from the leaves cradling it. Chan's favorite way of having ibos? With muscovado sugar—a.k.a. the unrefined cane sugar that's known for its deep brown color and natural toffee-like flavor.
Our pick: Regional kakanin can be difficult to come by in the Metro, but you can get your fix of ibos via online seller Yummy Pinoy Cravings. They sell it in boxes of six (P180) and 12 (P340); just reach out to their number via Viber.
For orders, contact 0949-385-4345 through Viber. You can also check out Yummy Pinoy Cravings' Instagram page.
Also read: Is 2020 the End for Jose Mari Chan Memes? The Internet Says No
Tsokolate
To go with the ibos, Jose Mari Chan also sips on a classic warm beverage: Hot chocolate, or more specifically its rustic Filipino cousin, tsokolate. "Not [the kind that uses] chocolate from abroad, but [the kind made with] tablea," he clarifies. Tablea is a product of cacao nibs that are roasted, ground, and molded into some shape (usually discs or balls); it's then turned into tsokolate by being cooked with water or milk over the stove, and sweetened as desired.
Though he admits he doesn't recall from where exactly his wife buys tablea, he shares that his grandmother from Cebu used to make it themselves. "They were really nice when you prepared it," he shares.
Our pick: You've got a couple of options for tablea in Manila, from great-quality bean-to-bar chocolate brands no less. 1919 Chocolate makes the Premium Tablea (P180/144 grams) with cacao from their own farm in Malvar, Batangas for an earthy, fruity note, while South Cotabato-based Kablon Farms' Pure Tablea (P69/six pieces, P130/12 pieces) delivers a deep and robust profile purists will love.
Check out our list of the best shops for tablea and other hot chocolate mixes.
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Source: Spot PH
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