Phillipine word ID

[Ian]

Moose:

I visited Pangasinan in 1999 and stopped in Calasiao for a few hours. Quite a nice little town. It is just inland from the Lingayen Gulf, south of the coastal town of Dagupan. There is a map of the area here: http://www.asiatravel.com/philippine...gasinanmap.jpg

The town is perhaps best known for its religious icon: Sanctuario Del Señor Divino Tesoro is located beside the municipal building of Calasiao. Devotees claim that the enshrined statue grew as a "small boy" to what is now the image of Jesus Christ on the cross. There is also a very old catholic Church built during the Spanish era. The first church, built in 1582, was destroyed by fire in 1736. Today the lovely Church of Saints Peter and Paul stands there, which was built in 1753 and completed in 1858.

For me the real treat was across from the Plaza and diagonally opposite the church wherea row of stalls of the Calasiao Puto Producers is located. The puto (rice cake) from Calasiao is said to be the best in the Philippines. It is sold in markets all over Pangasinan, and is put on a bus to Manila each day to be sold there. Good stuff – moist and not overly sweet.

Ian.