Every June, we celebrate Independence Day, commemorating the freedom of the Philippines and the enduring spirit of the Filipino people. Come August, it will be Buwan ng Wika: a celebration of our beautiful national language and myriad dialects. But beyond these significant dates in Philippine history, every day is a chance to appreciate and love local.
Joel’s Place strives to do its part to celebrate the Philippines, through, of course, food. From local meats, seafood, and produce to our collection of artisanal products, loving local is easy when there are delicious reasons to do so all over our shelves alone. Kick off your discovery with this guide on world-class, locally made products and how they’re inextricably woven with Filipino culture.
Handaan: A Thoughtful Feast
“May handaan!” When you hear those words, you instantly know it’s not just any old get-together. From the word “handa,” a handaan is a thoughtful feast planned far ahead, where—true to Filipino hospitality—you bring your tastiest dishes to the dinner table, from beloved family recipes to special orders made only for the most special occasions. Start strong with quality local ingredients and artisanal flavors that are uniquely Filipino:
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Basimatsi - Sawsawan, marinade, vinaigrette, and more—the cooking potential of suka is huge. Basimatsi broadens it further with their amazing range of gourmet spiced vinegars tailored to the Filipino palate, like Suka Minatamis, Suka Pinausukan, and Suka Sinalabat, to name a few.
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Asin sa Buyo - Artisanal sea salt wrapped in Nipa leaves from Zambales, it has a unique fluffy texture and is perfect as a finishing salt. Its intensive production process hasn’t changed in 200 years—an ode to tradition as well as a testament to a flavor that still delights today. Discover the fine nuances in other local sea salts like Tultul Salt from Guimaras and Asin Tibuok from Bohol.
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The Fishmonger - Cook up your main course with the latest catches by The Fishmonger, like mouthwatering Ulang (giant freshwater prawns) and Tayabas Bay Oysters. Take a look at our guide to the freshest seafood at Joel’s Place to inspire your menu.
Tambay: No Reservations
Tambay is all about hanging out in total ease, whether it’s breaking the ice with new friends or letting loose with your best and closest. It’s bonding with no reservations while keeping the good vibes in check. Keep that mood rolling with cool drinks and savory pulutan that really hit the spot:
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Kanto Vodka - From the makers of award-winning Ube Cream Liqueur comes Kanto Vodka Salted Caramel, a blend of sugar cane vodka from Negros, muscovado, and sea salt. Made for Pinoys to share, it’s Destileria Barako’s homage to our tagayan drinking style.
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Engkanto Beer - Engkanto Brewery’s road to raise the standards of Filipino craft beer is paved with multiple international awards for creations using local ingredients such as Paint Me Purple Ube Lager, High Hive Honey Ale, and Mango Nation Hazy IPA.
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Vegetari Vegnet Cracklings - The perfect pulutan to pair with drinks—but healthier! These vegan cracklings capture the crunch and flavor of bagnet but are totally plant-based. Give their Vegchon Kawali Cracklings a try, too!
Pasalubong: Tokens of Love
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder; this is especially true for the loving Filipino people. Often, we make up for the distance with pasalubong—homecoming gifts to show people we left behind that they’ve remained in our thoughts, regardless of whether the parting was a long trip abroad or a day away at the office. Give form to your love and care with these sweet tokens:
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Auro Chocolate - Vibrant colors and festive illustrations make the internationally awarded Auro Chocolates an exciting pasalubong. They have something for everyone, from classic chocolate bars to colorful cans of chocolate-coated nuts.
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Theo & Philo - Their chocolates will enchant you every time with elegant designs of local fauna and flora, and tantalizing flavors that are fearlessly Filipino, like Milk Chocolate Turon and 65% Dark Chocolate with Labuyo Chili.
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Cocoa Monster - Chocolate-covered mangoes are a beloved Filipino pasalubong, and Cocoa Monster offers plenty. Take your pick from delicate Dipped Dark Chocolate Mango Strips to tasty chunks of Dark Chocolate Mango Bites and more.
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The Baker - Who can say no to a heavenly box of pastries? The Baker at Joel’s Place always has decadent bites for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Bring home a box of our favorites: Champorado Crispies, Calamansi Pie, Yema Pastillas Cake, and many more.
We Filipinos have our distinct ways about food: how we handle it, consume it, and express ourselves with it. And they’ve been repeated over and over through time that they're etched into our behavior and become culture, because we love what we do with food.
