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The 3 Types of Snacks to Try
in the Philippines

by fatima gimenez

if there is one thing to know about the filipinos, it is that we love to eat. we love all kinds of food and if it was possible without being unhealthy or gaining weight, we would eat our hearts out all the time! here is a list of some of our favorite snacks to eat for merienda or any time:

1. Iced/Cold Snacks

The Philippines is a tropical country, so we almost always live our lives under the sun. Because of this, we are big fans of desserts and dishes that can cool us, such as the following:
> Halo-halo - There's jellies, rice crisps, beans, ice cream, leche flan, and many more! It is definitely a new mix.
> Sorbetes - Whether it's from the street vendors or store-bought, it is an all time favourite! It is a simple yet effective cooler.
> Ice-candy - Frozen juice or fruit shakes. Not only is it easy to make, but it is also easy to eat!

2. Street Food

Commuting all around is definitely an easier and cheaper way for Filipinos to travel. Luckily enough, hunger is not a problem here because one will almost always come across street food vendors. The following street foods are cheap and friendly to the wallet:
> Fish/Squid ball - Fried fish/squid! These come with a sweet and sour sauce and are fun to eat because it's tusok-tusok (using a stick to skewer them).
> Balut - Partially developed duck egg embryo. Don't waste the soup that comes from it!
> Tokneneng/Qwek qwek - Egg/quail egg deep fried in an orange batter. Be sure to use the sweet and sour sauce for a better experience!

3. Packaged Snacks

Whether you're a student or already working, one thing is constant. We are always ready for snacks. Here are some of our favorites:
> Mik-mik - Little packets of powdered milk that you can suck through a straw. Be careful not to choke on it!
> Boy Bawang - Garlic flavoured cornicks that sometimes come with nuts and peas. They are so small that you won't feel the guilt of eating so much of it!
> Choc-Nut - From the name, it is a little bar of chocolate and peanuts. It is crumbly, but also melts in your mouth.

food is one way for us to share and exchange our culture with others. these filipino snacks may be different from the snacks of one's own culture, but we hope that you find the time and heart to appreciate the one of a kind beauty of the philippines.

[sources:
Lopez-Flores, J. (2014). Top 10 Pinoy Summer Food Favorites. skyscanner. Retrieved from: https://www.skyscanner.com.ph/news/top-10-pinoy-summer-food-favorites
Wiens, M. (2009). Filipino Street Food Guide – 21 Must-Eat Snacks In The Philippines! migrationology. Retrieved from: https://migrationology.com/filipino-street-food-philippines/
Escalona, K. (2017). 7 Unique Filipino Snacks You Need to Try. culture trip. Retrieved from: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/7-unique-filipino-snacks-you-need-to-try/]

Textula.

by sydney matti

Grateful.

by charlene cu

In the evening, the man stood before the same dumpsite. He then approached a pile of trash and began digging, searching for any piece of food he could find to sustain him throughout the next day. Eventually, he found a few scraps that could be of help to him. Then, he took a deep breath, looked up, and smiled. He did not have much in his life, but he was satisfied.

[the sad reality is that poverty is extremely common in the philippines. filipinos do everything they can and work long hours just to provide for their family, even resorting to going through the trash for anything at all. despite this, these people remain grateful, they keep on smiling, and never lose hope.]