Ilog Coconut Belt
Description
Coconut groves used for vinegar and copra. In Ilog, a river town on the southwest coast, named for the river itself. Bananas here are several distinct varieties — saba for cooking into banana cue, turon and ginanggang; lakatan and latundan for eating fresh. Coconut groves feed three chains at once: copra, sap for tuba and vinegar, and fresh buko. Roadside stalls beside the groves are the cheapest place to buy either.
Tips
The river organises everything here — fishing, farming and settlement all follow it inland. Follow the river road rather than staying on the highway if you want to see it.
Stops
Western Coastal Food Chain
How to get there
Southwest coastal highway south of Kabankalan.
Best Times
Early morning — markets, landings and roadside stalls all run hardest before 8am.