Hello, friends! 😄

I’m happy to share a memorable experience this time not from the mountains or rivers, but from the heart of our own city… all thanks to a surprise craving and a familiar face.

So before everything gets too hectic with routines and deadlines, let me tell you about a food adventure that touched both my stomach and my heart. ❤️

A Facebook post from one of my dear friends, and it instantly caught my attention. Something unfamiliar but mouthwatering. She was selling Ilocos empanada.

For us Surigaonons, it was something new, something we don’t see often in our local food stalls. The orange, deep-fried shell looked inviting, and once I read the description shredded green papaya, a whole egg, some ground meat, all wrapped and fried to perfection I was sold. My cravings kicked in instantly.

That friend of mine is no stranger. She’s someone I deeply admire and respect — my former mentor, Ma’am Ethel.

She owns Kids Spot Tutorial Center, where I worked as a teacher-tutor from 2018 to 2020. Those years helped shape my career as an educator. We spent countless afternoons guiding children, preparing lessons, sharing snacks, and supporting each other. She became like an ate to me (older sister) — someone I look up to not just professionally, but personally.

Her partner is from Ilocos, and I remember tasting Ilocos empanada for the first time back in 2019, when he brought some to the center. It had been years, and I honestly forgot how it tasted — which made me even more eager to try it again.

When we arrived at the food stall, a crowd had already formed. Clearly, many others were just as curious and excited. We waited for about two hours long, yes, but we didn’t mind. After placing our order, we walked around the city, letting our son enjoy the surroundings. When we returned, our food was finally ready.

The food presentation was enough to make our mouths water. I took a bite and wow! The crispy shell gave way to a perfect mix of textures. The green papaya still had a slight crunch, which blended well with the richness of the egg and the savory meat. And that suka (vinegar)? Spicy, tangy, slightly sweet it elevated the whole experience.

That first bite transported me back to 2019, to the small kitchen of the tutorial center, where we laughed and shared the same empanada

Two empanadas weren’t enough. I had to go back and buy more so I could bring them home to my mom and dad. I wanted them to experience a piece of the north, lovingly made in the southern shores.

While waiting for the second batch, I had the chance to talk to Ma’am Ethel. She looked busy but happy her hands were moving quickly, but her face remained calm and proud.

She reintroduced me to her partner, who was behind the frying station, flipping empanadas with expert precision. I asked if I could watch how it was made and they gladly showed me. The dough was flattened, filled with green papaya, meat, and egg, then sealed and deep-fried in hot oil.

Everything was made fresh no shortcuts, no mass production. Just honest-to-goodness handmade food.

For Ma’am Ethel and her partner, this was more than a small business. It was a passion project. A cultural bridge. A love letter from Ilocos to Surigao.

From being my mentor in a small tutorial center to becoming an inspiration through food, she continues to amaze me with her warmth, drive, and generosity.

That day, we didn’t just satisfy a craving. We rediscovered a forgotten taste, reunited with an old friend, and shared something new with family. The Ilocos empanada may be from the north, but thanks to people like Ma’am Ethel, it has found a home — and a place in our hearts here in the south.

So if you ever see that bright orange shell in a Surigao food stall… don’t think twice. Try it. You’re not just biting into food, you’re tasting a story.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you, too, get to revisit a special memory through something delicious. Till the next adventure, mga ka-Daily Blog! 💚

📸 All photos are mine, edited with Canva.