Halo Halo: Keeping Your Cool

Halo Halo:  Keeping Your Cool

DID U KNOW that Japanese migrants introduced Halo Halo in the Philippines during the pre-war years? 

Halo Halo was then called Mitsumame which had mongo beans as main ingredients. 

Later, it became Kakigori with more mongo, garbanzos and kidney beans. 

Supply of shaved ice was not a problem as the Insular Ice And Cold Storage Plant was located at the southern end of Puente Colgante Bridge, which is now known as Quiapo Bridge.

For one (1) cent or isang kusing, u could have a small bowl full of sweet dessert. And Filipinos liked Kakigori. 

At this time, life had been good for most Pinoys. It was a time which some historians refer to as "the best of times."

Japanese businessmen enjoyed brisk sales and, as a result, their stores were turned into big refreshment parlors. More kiosks were opened.

But with the crushing defeat of the Japanese Imperial Army in World War II, these Japanese migrants fled the country for fear of retaliation.

Business-minded Pinoys saw an opportunity, took over of what was left by the Japanese and added ingredients like macapuno, sweet banana, ube, langka, gulaman, etc.

The rest is history.

-KONTED

Halo Halo is the most popular iced dessert in the Philippines. It is available throughout the year with demand peaking during the summer months.

Chowking's SuperSangkap Halo Halo

Like the mami noodles, siopao and siomai, Halo Halo is a fast selling item at Chowking.

You don't wait long for your Halo Halo to be served.

Chowking's Milky White Halo Halo

Kirsten's favorite is Chowking's Milky White Halo Halo.

Pizza Hut also serves its own version of Halo Halo.

Halo Halo at Buddy's across Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Q.C.

Mang Inasal's Pinoy Halo Halo

Hands down, Razon;s Halo Halo is the best Halo Halo in the Philippines.

Razon's Junior Size Halo Halo

The regular size and the junior size

My balikbayan friend from Burnside, Victoria in Australia misses Razon's Halo Halo so much that he always asks for both the regular size and the junior size.

Elsa's Halo Halo: Norzagaray's Pride

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Razon's Halo Halo: The Best Halo Halo in the Philippines

Razon's Halo Halo:  The Best Halo Halo in the Philippines

          Guagua is a first class municipality in the province of Pampanga. Taking the NLEX, one exits at the San Fernando Toll booth near SM and then passes through the town of Bacolor to reach Guagua.  The town boasts of having one of the only 26 churches declared as National Cultural Treasures.  And this is the renowned Betis Church. Guagua is also known for excellent furniture making which produces the so-called Betis furniture. Then there is the Taba ng Talangka.  And the Alimango. Still, there is more to Guagua.  It is also famous for that refreshment parlor that sells the famous Razon's Halo Halo.

Guagua is about an hour-drive through the North Luzon Expressway. Razon's started in Guagua, Pampanga.

The Old Betis Church

Old Betis Furniture

Alimango is abundant in Guagua and in other towns of Pampanga.

          Razon's has been in the food business since 1908. That's a long, long time ago.  About the time when the Americans started colonizing the Philippines. From then on, the Razon family, through diligence, has continuously improved their products.  The business has withstood the test of time. Today, it is one of the top refreshment parlors throughout the Philippines. The owners are doing everything to maintain their good standing through good food, good service and good location.
  

A brief history of Razon Food Corp. can be viewed at every Razon's outlet.  The Razons are proud of their roots.

Razon's outlet at the Sta. Lucia Mall

A wide variety to choose from

Good service at Razon's.  

Fine dining area

         Razon's Halo Halo is a mixture of sweet bananas, macapuno and leche flan which is placed on top of the finely shaved ice.  When milk is added, there is no need to ask for more sugar as the banana syrup gives the whole thing a tempered sweetness.  And the ice melts in your mouth without having to chew or chomp.  Pinong pino ang yelo. At swabeng swabe ang lasa. While others have their halo halo with a wide variety of colorful ingredients, Razon's has stuck to those three ingredients which make a perfect combination. Again, sweet bananas, macapuno and leche flan. Yun lang. Nothing more. This is Razon's version of the "Triangle Offense".  It has made Razon's Halo Halo the best Halo Halo in the Philippines.

The best halo halo in the Philippines

Closer shot.  P100 per glass. Pinong Pino.  Swabeng swabe.

First layer is the macapuno.  Then the sweet bananas.  The finely shaved ice with milk is next.  Then as crown jewel is the leche flan. Perfect combination.

Pancit Luglug

Halo Halo and Pancit Luglug:  they go together.

This senior citizen is a regular customer of Razon's Halo Halo. He says:  Natikman ko na halos lahat ng halo halo sa buong Pilipinas.  Masasarap sila.  Pero bukod-tangi ang Razon's Halo Halo. Pinakamasarap.

       Now you don't have to travel to Guagua for a taste of Razon's Halo Halo.  There are  many branches in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.  All serve the same halo halo made famous some 96 years ago by that Kampampangan family.  Not only halo halo is served but other food delights such as Pancit Luglog, Dinuguan, Rice Toppings, Ensaymada and many more.  It is a guarantee that the money you spend at Razon's is well worth it.  You will not be shortchanged. As the Razons would say: Mangan Ta Na ! 

- Konted

Ensaymada

Special Puto 

Customers troop to Razon's during summer when there is sweltering heat.

Ms. Recy Simpao (right) of Guagua declares:  Atiu Pampanga ing manyaman a pamangan. Pagmaragul mi yan. Ing pekamanyaman a halo halo queng Pilipinas atiu quekami queng Pampanga. Atiu Guagua ing Razon's Halo Halo. Alang manyambut queng nyaman ning Razons.  (Nasa Pampanga ang pinakamasasarap na pagkain. Pinagmamalaki namin yan. Ang pinakamasarap na Halo Halo sa Pilipinas ay nasa amin sa Pampanga. Nasa Guagua ang Razon's Halo Halo. Walang tatalo diyan sa Razon's sa sarap.)

For Rachel Anne, Razon's Halo Halo is number one.

Francis Dizon Pacheco (left) with his friend Vic Fadrilan.  Francis, who is from Angeles City and Quezon City, says:  Keni kekami king Pampanga., dacal a pamangan a manyaman. Ing manyaman a halo halo manibatan Guagua. Deng Razon ilang gagawa. ( Sa amin sa Pampanga, madaming masarap na pagkain. Yung masarap na halo halo nasa Guagua. Mga Razon ang gumagawa.)

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