There’s a new food destination in Pasay that offers a complete Filipino food experience that will satisfy your hunger and visually appeal to your senses. Islas Pinas is an indoor FIlipino food and heritage village located at the DoubleDragon Plaza, DD Meridian Park, Macapagal Avenue corner EDSA Extension, Bay Area, Pasay City, Metro Manila. It is a collaboration between Double Dragon Group and Chef Margarita Fores that will showcase the wonders of the Philippines through representation of local cuisine and beautiful scenery of each region.
Entrance is FREE, just get your RFID card at the entrance and swipe it upon entering. It also used when getting your chosen dish.
Inside the 2500 sqm space of Islas Pinas, you can seat up to 700 people and is divided to 5 major zones for local and foreign visitors get a feel of the major landscapes of the Philippines.
Bahay Kubo (Vernacular Zone of Islas Pinas)
Upon entering, you’ll see a Bahay Kubo. Houses like the bahay kubo are built based on local needs and reflecting local traditions. A representation of a simple way of life.
Inside the Bahay Kubo, mostly made up of available wood in their region.
Eating Filipino food inside a Bahay Kubo is a true Filipino experience.
Beside the Bahay Kubo, many tables and chairs with a high ceiling decorated with local textiles and cloth.
Calle Crisologo (Heritage Zone of Islas Pinas)
This zone is one of my favorite part of Islas Pinas because it's where the delicious Filipino food are. It is designed like the streets and the Spanish colonial house facades of Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Sections like Sinag, Alamat, Bilao and Panaderia are found in this zone.
Sinag
In this section, Sinag just like the light coming from the morning sun gives you Filipino breakfast options like sinangag, tapa, longganisa, eggs and more.
Chef Margarita Fores and Chef Tibong Jardeleza at the Sinag section
Wide variety of Filipino breakfast choices
Fried Rice with Danggit
Fried Rice, Tokwa’t Baboy and Danggit with sawsawan
Tokwa’t Baboy
Daing na Bangus
Tocino
Longganisa
Negrense Chorizong Hubad
Vigan Longganisa
La Paz Batchoy
Molo
Goto
Alamat
Alamat or legend, tells the story of the different regions of the Philippines through its signature dishes. These dishes are legendary if you get to taste it and savor its flavors.
Ilonggo KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, Langka)
Laing
That’s a spicy laing with all the red and green silis
Sinuglaw
Ginataang Tambo
Bilao
At the Bilao section, comfort food and snacks are served here like pansit and rice cakes.
Pancit Palabok
Bilao Menu
Biko
Creamy Egg Pie
Maja Blanca
Panaderia
Breads like pandesal and other treats from the bakery are found here in this section.
Kalihim
Bread options
Now that we’re done checking out Calle Crisologo zone, you’ll find a sari sari store and a jeepney at the end of the street.
A Sari-sari store
Tusok Tusok (Urban Zone of Islas Pinas)
My 2nd favorite zone is the Tusok Tusok zone! Filipino street food and this is where you can get lechon and isaw. Street food served in the original street food carts just like in the streets.
Street carts serving Pinoy street food
Bacolod Lechon that is infused with Beer (with Isaw on the background!)
The lechon skin is super crispy when you get the first dibs on it
Grilled fish is also available
Peanuts!
Fishballs, the iconic street food (also kikiam and squid ball at the back)
Samalamig is also available like buko, sago’t gulaman and melon juice
Ingredients of Halo-Halo
Halo-Halo with Barquillos
The whole place is air conditioned and well maintained, you can enjoy eating clean street food inside. No more eating under the hot sun and no more added pollution from smoke belching vehicles just to satisfy your Filipino food cravings.
Like a normal street, there are lampposts and even a monument
“The Balangay” in the Ocean Zone of Islas Pinas
There’s also a boat inside called Balangay and this is the ocean part where Pampang is located. You can get your seafood and grill it there.
This place is like a museum like having a mini cultural tour and food trip around the Philippines.
How cool is that! You can take your selfies and instagram pics here
Surprise, you can eat inside the boat!
Seating won’t be a problem here
More tables and chairs here
Banaue Rice Terraces in the Mountain Zone of Islas Pinas
A replica of the Banaue Rice Terraces was also created and this part is where you can be seated for cultural performances.
Stage for the cultural performances and Filipino games
Just at the back is the Panulak section where the drinks and cocktails can be found
There’s also a Pasalubong corner where items and souvenirs from different parts of the Philippines can be purchased.
Lara Fernandez Barrios of Larawan Inc designed the interior of Islas Pinas that provided the museum-like and nostalgic element.
“DoubleDragon has always believed in embarking on projects with relevance. We believe Islas Pinas will be a landmark in the country, and will showcase the diversity not only of our cuisine and handicrafts but also our landscape and architecture brought about by the rich heritage and culture of the country,” says DoubleDragon’s Chief Investment Officer Hannah Yulo.
“This is an absolute dream project for me that has come at such a perfect time,” said Forés. “I give my thanks to then Undersecretary of Agriculture, now Secretary of Tourism Berna R. Puyat, for putting me together with the DoubleDragon group, who was looking for someone to operate this amazing Islas Pinas project about half a year ago. This fast-tracked such a blessed opportunity to continue pushing my biggest advocacy – that of helping to promote the best our country – our cuisine, ingredients, farers, artisan producers and home cooks from Batanes to Jolo – in the best way I can!”
Lara Fernandez Barrios of Larawan Inc, DoubleDragon’s Chief Investment Officer Hannah Yulo and Asia’s Best Female Chef 2016 Margarita Fores
Time to sample the food and head straight to my table
I liked the Molo and the rice cakes especially the cassava. A little tip, ask the isaw to be grilled again if it stayed on the table for too long.
Soft Maja Blanca is also good
Halo-Halo has the right sweetness and right mix of ingredients
While you eat, you’ll be serenaded by a Rondalla
Me with Chef Margarita Fores, thank you Chef for promoting Filipino cuisine and spreading the Filipino culture through food.
Islas Pinas located at the Double Dragon Plaza at DD Meridian Park is just 5 minutes away from NAIA and a must visit for tourist, local and international.
Check out their social media - facebook.com/IslasPinasbyMargaritaFores and instagram.com/islas.pinas for more details. #islaspinasbymargaritafores
Coverage by Aaron Nomo
For Azrael's Merryland Blog
