Opening Day Promo!

Talaba atbp!

Talaba rock on!

 

 

 

 

Iloilo’s best Talaba atbp! opens in Gensan

Hail to Talaba!

 

Talaba (oyster) is a popular bivalve delicacy in the Philippines, because of its excellent flavor and taste. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates. In the Philippines there are four popular species of oyster for culture: · Crasostrea iredalei (Talabang tsinelas or slipper-shaped), Saccostrea malabonensis (Kukung kabayo or oblong), palmipes (Pulid-pulid or palm-rooted), cucullata (Kulot or wild oyster). Talaba thrives best in brackish to marine waters, normally found in places where freshwater and seawater meets.

 

According to The Science and Business of Growing Oysters, PHRDC, 1991, and The Feasibility of Oyster and Mussel Farming by Municipal Fishermen in the Philippines, there are 32 natural oyster populations, farming areas and potential sites in the Philippines, and these are:

 

1. Buguey, Cagayan (Natural Grounds- NG, Farming Areas- FA), 2. Ilocos Norte (NG, FA), 3. Ilocos Sur (NG, FA), 4. Aringay & Sto. Tomas, La Union (NG, FA), 5. Lingayen Gulf & Tambac Bay (NG, FA), 6. Agno River, Manat, Binmaley, Pangasinan & Davel, Dagupan City (NG, FA), 7. Binuangan & Malolos, Bulacan (NG, FA), 8. Abucay & Mariveles, Bataan (NG, FA, PS), 9. Cavite—Bacoor & Ternate Bays (NG, FA), 10. Balayan Bay, Batangas (NG, FA), 11. Batangas Bay (NC, FA), 12. Tayabas Bay (Potential sites -PS), 13. Makato, Aklan (PS), 14. Sapi-an Bay, Iloilo (NG, FA), 15. Banate Bay, Iloilo (NG, FA), 16. Bacolod (Port of Banago) (NG, FA), 17. Binalbagan and Hinigaran, Negros Occidental (NG, FA), 18. Himamaylan, Negros Occidental (NG, PS), 19. Panguil Bay, Misamis Occ. (PS), 20. Luuk, Bongao Cove, Sacol [s], Zamboanga del Norte (PS), 21. Scall Lagoon, Sta. Cruz, Zamboanga del Norte (PS), 22. Malalag Bay, Davao City (NG, FA), 23. Del Caman Dapa, Surigao del Norte (PS), 24. Calape, Bohol (NG, FA), 25. Cebu (NG, FA, PS), 26. Leyte (PS), 27. Maqueda Bay & Jiabong, Samar (PS, NG), 28. Catbalogan, Samar (PS), 29. Sorsogon (NG, FA), 30. Pagbilao Bay, Quezon (PS), 31. Alabat Island, Quezon (PS), 32. Polilio Island, Quezon (PS).

 

This study also shows that the nearest identified natural ground and farming area of Talaba from General Santos City is in Malalag Bay in Davao City.

 

Aphrodisiac as it is, Talaba can be cooked in 101 ways. Because of its unique and distinct quality as a seafood, it is expected to stand out as the city’s next best thing to tuna, either as a succulent main dish, appetizing side dish, or simply a delicious “pulutan”. Talaba shall indeed become sensation, or the cause of it

 

A seaman’s business acumen

 

Athan, a native of Iloilo and husband of my friend Joan saw this as an opportunity. Exploring the potential of talaba market in General Santos is sensible since, “people of Gensan are seafood lovers, hence wild talaba would be easy to market.” Though the Talabang Tsinelas and Kukung Kabayo are recommended for growing, Athan will be selling the cucullata (kulot or wild Talaba), as it thrives in his hometown in Iloilo. He will be sourcing it from Iloilo, but would still guarantee its 100% freshness as Gensan has a daily flight from Iloilo.

 

Jonathan Haresco, “Athan” as his friends fondly called him is a seaman. He was a graduate of BS Marine Transportation at the Philippine Maritime Academy in Iloilo City and comes from a family where working abroad is almost a natural thing. Presently, he is connected with Nippon Yussen Kaisha (NYK), a Japanese shipping company based in Intramuros, Manila here in the Philippines. He is one of the 18-man crew of Century Leader 5, a 13-deck overseas cargo ship owned by NYK, a Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) big enough to load 4,500 cars per shipment. From Japan, they ship these cars to China, US, Canada and European countries.

 

Athan was born and raised in Ilo-ilo City and has never set-foot on General Santos City, until he met Joan Salazar four years ago. Their love story started when they met on board the Sulpicio Lines bound from Iloilo to Zambaonga, during one of Athan’s furlough after a year overseas and Joan’s jaunting trips to Zamboanga. After a year of long distance relationship they got married. They are now blessed with a child named Josh.

 

Talaba docks in Gensan

 

Iloilo’s best Talaba Atbp! is located along J. Catolico Avenue, General Santos City. The joint is an open lot measuring 300 sq. meters, and is adjacent to Duratrak and fronting Mana Petron Service Station. Ms. Bing Ang, a pharmacist and also a friend who migrated to the United States two (2) years ago owns the lot.

 

Ilo-ilo’s best Talaba Atbp! will offer in its “smorgasmic” menu the traditional steamed Talaba dunked in a specially made vinegar (otherwise known as “Kilawing Talaba” or fresh oyster in vinegar), mouthwatering grilled buttered talaba and garlic talaba, among others. Tasty grilled spiced boneless milkfish (bangus), pork and chicken barbecue, grilled or sizzling squid (posit) and a variety of seafood soups can easily go with the talaba main course.” All these delectable, mouth-watering dishes will come at a very affordable price, Athan promised.

 

 

 

Chill at Iloilo’s best Talaba atbp!

 

Talaba is good as a pulutan to an iced cold beer. The Bar opens at 3:00 PM and shall play cool music of either jazz, reggae, pinoy rock, alternative or folk songs. With a “fiesta sa barrio” ambiance, this cozy place of lustful health foods and soul-relaxing music may be the best way to describe the word “unwind”.

 

This business which is anchored on popular Ilonggo hospitality and Ilonggo’s reputed excellence in native cuisine preparation, shall cater the city’s sensitive palates and discerning tastes. Its byword shall be “service before business”, and shall make sure that the quality of food is never compromised to haste and mediocrity.

 

 

Ilo-ilo’s best Talaba atbp! is surely your next best gustatory destination! Stomach, you must really go this place!