Exploring the Philippines with Sarah J.C. Gillespie

How do you sum up a country consisting of 7,641 islands? A place where every bowl of noodle soup tells a story and the oceans are filled with extraordinary marine life. One word comes to mind: Padayon. It means “to keep going” in Hiligaynon, one of the country’s many languages, and it’s a fitting invitation to keep exploring.

In this episode, host Angie Orth is joined by award-winning Scottish-Filipina travel writer Sarah J.C. Gillespie. She’s been visiting the Philippines since she was two, speaks Hiligaynon, has contributed to major publications, and has an essay in Lonely Planet Philippines.

Sarah takes us on an eye-opening a journey through the country’s regional cuisines, historic neighborhoods, and remarkable dive sites. From Manila’s street-food stalls to Iloilo’s La Paz batchoy and the reefs around Isla Verde, she shares the places and flavors that keep drawing her back.

What You’ll Learn:

04:09 How speaking Hiligaynon has benefited Sarah’s travels

09:38 Where to go to learn about the island’s history and the best way to see it

11:11 The foods to try for every meal of the day and why the Philippines is a special place for culinary adventure

13:40 Sarah’s street-food recommendations in Manila

17:20 The story behind the infamous noodle soup: La Paz Batchoy

20:04 How malls became a big deal in Filipino culture

28:17 The best island for diving and finding incredible marine life

Connect with: Sarah J.C. Gillespie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjcgillespie/

Website: https://www.sarahjcgillespie.com/

What Filipino dish is on your culinary bucket list? Tell us in the comments below!

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