Lechon 'maalat' takes on Cebu's pig roasters

MANILA -- When one says lechon, it’s usually Cebu that comes to mind.

But a fifth-class municipality in Zamboanga Sibugay is introducing another type of roasted pig that is slowly gaining cult among foodies in Manila.

Diplahan Lechon is named after the town where the “lechon maalat” was revolutionized. The salty taste – reminiscent of lechon kawali – and its golden brown color are what distinguish them from their more famous cousins in Cebu.

Businessman Jotle Viray, who brought this lechon in Manila, would not say if it is better than Cebu lechon. “I don’t want to say it’s the best, but it was worth my time,” he said diplomatically.

Viray, who is also the owner of G&G International Unlimited, Inc., was on one of his business trips to Zamboanga Sibugay when he met the couple who perfected the “lechon maalat.”

Ronnie and Becky Lumindas are actually the only ones who know the secret behind this one-of-a-kind lechon. The couple was able to teach another individual how to do the cracked look and taste of the lechon, but theirs has already garnered the loyalty of Diplahan and nearby towns and provinces.

It took a long time for Viray and his partners, including wife Luisa, to persuade the couple into teaching them the secret of roasting the Diplahan lechon. It was the promise of “giving back” that finally pushed the Lumindas to go to Manila and lend their expertise.

A portion of the proceeds for each lechon sold will be collected and given to the local government of Zamboanga Sibugay.

“Sayang ang potential,” Viray said.

Finally, the Lumindas were brought to Manila months back to teach the employees the technique.

“Diplahan lechon gets its blistered skin through the intermittent stirring of the coals, but the way we clean the pig and flavor it is the secret,” Viray said.

So secret that only two can enter the kitchen at their commissary in Antipolo today.

“When we [first] tried it in Manila, the people did not like the saltiness that much,” Viray said, adding that they had to temper the saltiness in order to make it more palatable to those in Manila who have been accustomed to the lechon in Cebu.

In order to bring the business a notch higher still, Diplahan lechon only uses organically grown pigs sourced from Marikina. Organically fed pigs are more expensive, but provides the roasting another layer of taste.

Finally, the lechon was cooking.

A spicy liver sauce will not give the crisp skin the justice it deserves. The Virays were able to concoct a special kind of vinegar that further enhances the taste of the lechong maalat.

However, the crispy skin and juicy meat are best eaten sans the special sauce. With rice on the side, the tagline “magkakasala ka sa sarap” does really give a warning of sorts.

Diplahan Lechon has a booking office in Tomas Morato and can also be contacted via their social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

(LINK: facebook.com/DiplahanLechon; twitter.com/diplahanlechon; Instagram.com/diplahanlechon)

It is recommended that orders be given at least 24 hours before delivery. Because of the painstaking techniques, the cooking takes about six hours.

A medium pig is sold at P7,500, while the large one is P8,500. Diplahan lechon also sells smaller sizes, but these will depend on the availability of the organic pigs.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

AFP orders take-out food for hungry soldiers

MANILA - As the fighting in Zamboanga City reached its 11th day, the question still remains - how is the military providing food to soldiers on the frontlines of the battle with the Moro National Liberation Front?

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, chief of the Armed Forces public affairs office, admitted there have been some delays in bringing food to hungry soldiers fighting the rebels in 5 Zamboanga villages.

He also admitted that mess officers for some of the units might have a hard time finding a place to cook for the soldiers.

Earlier reports said some soldiers have asked Zamboanga residents for food since their own food supply is running low.

To solve the problem, Zagala said the military is buying ready-to-eat food from commercial establishments to feed the soldiers.

"We recognize na meron tayong ganitong pangyayari but it is not the intent of the leadership of the AFP na magutom ang ating mga sundalo. Alam natin na they are in the middle of the fight at kailanganag makapag-concentrate sa labanan," Zagala said.

He added: "As early as last week, we provided meals ready toe at mga pagkain although commercial na madaling buksan ng ating sundalo in the front para hindi na kailangang pumunta sa rear para kumain."

Zagala earlier said some of the soldiers might not have time to eat because of the ongoing conflict. He said some of the soldiers chose not to eat because of the mission.

"I'd like to say that although they do not eat regularly , it does not necessarily state that they do not have the necessary support. They do have that," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

No pressure to end Zambo crisis for Obama visit

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has denied reports that it is being pressured to end the Zamboanga crisis before US President Barack Obama visits Manila next month.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said they want to end the conflict not because of Obama, but because they want to achieve peace in Mindanao.

The Zamboanga City crisis entered its seventh day on Sunday, with more than 50 people, including three civilians, killed in the fighting between the Armed Forces and the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Obama will visit Manila on October 11 and 12 as part of a four-nation tour in the Asia Pacific.

In a statement, the White House said Obama “will meet with President Aquino to reaffirm the strong economic people-to-people and security links between our two countries.”

It will be Obama’s first visit to Manila. -- Report from ANC

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Missing Jordanian journalist, crew was supposed to return to Zamboanga last June 12

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The missing Jordanian journalist and his two Filipino crew members were supposed to return to Zamboanga City on June 12, a local Muslim leader here disclosed on Monday.

Baker Atyani of Dubai-based Al Arabiya network only wanted to interview Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan and to "roam around" Jolo before returning to Zamboanga City either on June 12 or 13 for an interview with Western Mindanao Command chief Major Gen. Noel Coballes, Ustadz Abdulbaki Abubakar, Grand Mufti of Zamboanga and Palawan, said.

Nothing has been heard from the three since.

"He told me that he would only talk to the Sulu governor then he would stay in Jolo to take pictures," Abubakar said.

Atyani and his two Filipino crew members, Ramelito Vela and Rolando Letrero, have been reported missing last week after they left their hostel in Patikul early morning June 12.

Police said Atyani, the Southeast Asia bureau chief of the TV network, arrived with his crew members last June 11 to do a special report on Mindanao, including Sulu.

Abubakar, one of those interviewed by the Jordanian journalist, said that Atyani did not say he wanted to go out of Jolo or other parts of the island.

Abubakar said Atyani could just be "doing some stories that's why he has not returned yet."

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said the Sulu government has already created a crisis management committee and this will be the only authorized body to speak on the matter.

The military also could not confirm reports that the three journalists were being held by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.

The ASG is reportedly 50-60 member strong in the Mindanao island, led by Radullan Sahiron.

In Manila, Sr. Supt. Generoso Cerbo, spokesman of the Philippine National Police, said Atyani had earlier expressed interest in meeting Yasser Igasan, who according to intelligence reports is the spiritual adviser of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Cerbo, quoting Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, said the journalist was"discouraged" by the governor to pursue his plan of interviewing ASG personalities and should Atyani insist on going, he should be given security. Atyani ignored the governor's requests.

"Based on findings of our investigators, there was no indication that he was forcibly abducted," Cerbo said. Atyani left his hotel room early morning June 12 on board a multi-cab to an unknown location.

"Seemingly based on indications, it appears he pursued his plan to meet personalities of the Abu Sayyaf Group. We all know he has past experiences of interviewing such underground personalities," Cerbo said.

Police on the ground are still gathering information that could lead to the location of the missing TV crew.

source: interaksyon.com