Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste

Magnolia is one of the first names in the ice cream industry in the Philippines.  And just in time for the festival month of May, Magnolia Ice Cream launched a new collection called “Best of the Philippines.”

Best of the Philippines

Everybody got to taste the Magnolia Ice Cream Best of the Philippines Flavors

In the gigantic media launch, Magnolia Ice Cream revealed the “Best of the Philippines” collection: the Macapuno Banana and Macapuno Langka representing the province of Laguna, Coffee Crumble and Tsokolate Tablea (chocolate) from the province of Batangas, Mangoes & Cream of Guimaras, and finally the Ube Keso (cheese) from the cool climate of Baguio. It reminds me of the ube jam from the sisters of Good Shepherd.

Special Guest DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

Magnolis Ice Cream Team with DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

Magnolia Ice Cream Best of the Philippines Grand Media Launch

Obviously, the “Best of the Philippines” ice cream collection is in line with DOT’s current tourism campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” The honorable DOT Secretray Ramon Jimenez, Jr. himself was a guest speaker in the grand launch and admired the nationalistic-themed ice cream collection. The newest flavors of Magnolia Ice Cream do not only taste good but also promotes tourism and nationalism in the country.

I believe these are the best flavors I have tasted in the Philippines, not only because of the yummy flavor, but also because the variants that promote tourist spots and festivals of the Philippines. Imagine that, nationalism that can be promoted even through our ice cream. 🙂

Like what they said in the event, “Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling ice cream” (Don’t be a foreigner in your country’s own ice cream”). I agree, even the ingredients used in manufacturing the ice cream and its sources, are very Filipino.

Magnolia Ice Cream Best of the Philippines Collection: Macapuno Banana, Macapuno Langka, Coffee Crumble, Tsokolate Tablea, Mangoes & Cream, and Ube Keso

Nationalistic Packaging

Moreover, the reusable plastic containers are illustrated with Filipino festivals that we can be proud of and organizations of the provinces each flavor represents. A truly colorful packaging befitting the colorful flavors of Magnolia Ice Cream’s Best of the Philippines collection!

MIC General Manager Mayo Alcon said that the flavors best represent these provinces in the same way that the brand promoted the Baguio Good Shepherd with the Ube Keso variety.

* Story by Athena Tria of AthenaTria.com for the Blogger Apprentice Challenge. Photos by NomNom Club

The media launch was a success and I know the newest flavors will be a success too specially the Tsokolate Tablea from Batangas which is my favorite (although most seemed to like Baguio’s Ube Keso most)! Thank you to Magnolia Ice Cream for bringing out the “Best of the Philippines!”

Cheese-inspired Christmas desserts flowed from the recent launch of the World’s Longest Christmas Celebration by Kraft Eden Cheese last September 4, 2010. The project features 100 unique cheese-based specialties of 100 towns nationwide to celebrate 100 Days of Christmas.

Here are 5 towns and their dishes among the list of 100:

Bacolod: Bakareta with Fried Potato and Kraft Eden Cheese and the Masskara Festival

Considered as one of the best places to live in the Philippines, Bacolod has already made a name for itself. Bacolod is also one of the top sugar producers of the country. Famous for is its magnificent Masskara Festival, it is a colorful, festive and widely-acclaimed annual festival that attracts a huge number of tourists. Get a taste of the rich and blossoming Bacolod through their native specialty Bakareta with Fried Potato and Kraft Eden Cheese.

Bacolod: Bakareta with Fried Potato and Kraft Eden Cheese and the Masskara Festival

Iloilo: Creamy Macaroni Soup with Eden Cheese and Dinagyang Festival (Top Photo)

Known as the “Textile Capital of the Philippines”, I have been to Iloilo twice and is looking forward for the third this coming November for the Visayas Blogging Summit.

Marked for its Dinagayang Festival, Iloilo’s specialties include La Paz Bachoy, Molo Soup, and biscocho. You may also try the famed Creamy Macaroni Soup with Eden Cheese.

Bauan, Batangas: Vegeden and Kampon ni Pakakak

Bot to far away from Manila, the town houses the 2.5m tall Anubing cross that is said to be miraculous and has since become a major attraction to devotees. But for beach lovers, it is hailed as a “Diver’s Sanctuary”.

It is also the home of their special wrap and roll called Vegeden.

San Carlos, Pangasinan: Sushi Catfish with Crabmeat con cheese and Veggie and the City Plaza of San Carlos

Known for their mango trees and mung beans, this side of Pangasinan also engages in livestock raising, crop production, inland fishing, pottery, food processing, tourism, and commerce. Formerly known as Binalotangan, San Carlos is rich in its agro industry.

Get a taste of the promising and aspiring San Carlos by enjoying their rich and creamy Sushi Catfish with Crabmeat con Cheese and Veggie.

San Carlos, Pangasinan: Sushi Catfish with Crabmeat con Cheese and Veggie and the City Plaza of San Carlos

Abucay, Bataan: Cheesy Eggplant Layers and the Sibul Spring

Abucay is home to the Sto. Domingo Abucay Church – one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It is also where Pasukulan Falls – a natural wonder in the unexplored and unspoiled valley of Mt. Natib can be found.

It is reputably where the first printing press in the Philippines can be found, and claimed to be even older than that of the United States. So have a nature trip in Abucay while enjoying their Cheesy Eggplant Layers.

Abucay, Bataan: Cheesy Eggplant Layers and the Sibul Spring

Do you think one of these is the best dish to have this Christmas season?

Support your choice dish or your province by having 1 empty pack of Eden Sulit Pack, Eden 180g or Eden 500g, and a piece of paper with  your name, contact details, the name of the town you want to vote for and your signature. Drop your entries at the nearest Eden’s Sarap ng Pasko stations at the Prime Cast office, SM Mall of Asia or any ABS-CBN Main and Regional offices.

Sarap Ng Pasko

Check out more details about Kraft Eden‘s  Sarap ng Pasko by going to www.sarapngpasko.com and view the other unique cheese-based dishes that you think deserve to win.