Flavors of Calbayog: Chillin' at Rebelitos Refreshments

Fifty-four years after it served its very first order of Halo-Halo, the local homegrown favorite remains as popular as ever...

Since 1963, generations of local residents from Calbayog knew one place where they could beat the heat with a tasty serving of sweet halo-halo. When in Calbayog, a stop at Rebelito's Refreshments for a refreshing halo-halo is always a good idea not only to cool down but to get a feel of the local vibe...

After a sumptuous early morning breakfast at the Calbayog City Tourism Office (see my earlier post, Secret Kitchens of Samar Kulinarya Tour: Flavors of Calbayog), a tour around the picturesque city seemed like a perfect idea to prepare yourself for the next meal. Within a few steps of the Calbayog City Tourism Office is the iconic Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the central church for the Diocese of Calbayog. It's regarded as the largest church in Samar, and remains the social and religious focal point in the city of Calbayog. Religion plays a unifying thread in the social fabric of Calbayog, a lasting legacy from Spanish colonial times. Built in the early 1800s, the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral has been witness to the tumultuous history of the region and the country, with the core of its foundations built from limestone, coral and rock remaining intact through countless generations (more on Calbayog's notable sights on my travel blog soon, at Solo Expeditions).

The revitalized Calbayog River adds to the rustic charm of the city, weaving its way from one end to the other. During my visit, the public parks were in the latter stages of renovation, a sign of the city's optimism and continued growth. Down the old Spanish quarter, ancestral homes maintained by the original families add to the timeless appeal of the city. Later in the morning with the sun nearing its peak, I was told of a long-time popular favorite among locals that got me curious...

And just in time too. The sun and the short walk can build up an appetite. The fifty-four year-old Rebelito's Refreshments is an iconic favorite among locals with their signature halo-halo. The establishment is named after the three children of the owner, with one of the children now managing the restaurant. And it all began with one product...

...the halo-halo. The traditional halo-halo, a dessert with shaved ice and evaporated milk with a variety of preserved fruits and beans has always been a sure-fire way to beat the heat. Today, Rebelito's Refreshments is a full service restaurant offering meals along with their signature halo-halo, including these tasty steamed rice cakes, or Puto. But it's always the halo-halo that local residents come back to again and again for generations.

That indulgent blend of fruit preserves and beans topped with shaved ice and evaporated milk is just what you need after a tour of the city. Rebelito's Refreshments' signature Halo-Halo (P 60) is often paired by locals with the Siopao Asado (P 35), consistent with the recurring sweet and savory theme in Samar's local cuisine. And it's a combination that works for a hearty and satisfying snack. Food trends come and go, and fifty-four years in business says a whole lot about the simple yet indulgent halo-halo. And when it comes to halo-halo in the city of Calbayog, the locals are unanimous with their choice. When in Calbayog, it's got to be Rebelito's Refreshments.

Rebelito's Refreshments is located at Magsaysay Boulevard corner Rueda Street, Calbayog City. You can also check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/Rebelitos-Refreshments.

For more information on Eastern Visayas, visit the Department of Tourism's cool FB Page for Eastern Visayas at https://www.facebook.com/easternvisayas/.

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