Hunting and gathering is one of the favorite pastimes among expats in the Philippines. Do not be concerned, as you will not be actually hunting for your food with a weapon and gathering your kill for cooking. This involves going to the different stores and looking for your favorite food and beverage items from back home. It is a given that most people enjoy the food and beverages they were accustomed to before moving to the Philippines.
Looking for your favorite imported food and drinks? It is getting much easier to find a very large variety of imported food and drinks in the Philippines. Mid-size and large cities have the greater varieties of favorites from around the world than the smaller towns. It is a snap in cities such as Bacolod, Manila, Cebu and Davao in finding what you are looking for when shopping.
The Western style Supermarkets are a good starting point for your shopping needs and most are located inside the malls in the city. Bacolod City has 5 Shopping Malls but in larger cities, 5 malls can be found in only one area of the city, with many more malls scattered across the city in various locations. In every city, one will also find specialty stores, shops and boutiques with connections in acquiring imported food and drink items from around the world. Many of these specialty stores will have items not found in the large Western style supermarkets. It is best to do some exploring and ask around. Expats who have lived in the Philippines a number of years can direct you in finding that one food or drink item that you have been missing for awhile.
BEVERAGES
Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola both have bottling plants in several locations throughout the Philippines. There are a number of stores that stock most every brand of favorite spirits from all over the world. The prices are imported, so be prepared to pay.
There are several breweries, distilleries and wineries in different areas of the Philippines, so the local spirits are readily available and affordable for most everyone. Rum, gin, vodka and tequila are a few examples of the local spirits. The local wineries specialize in tropical wines and Sangria is one of the most popular wines in the Philippines. Other tropical wines are made from coconut, mango, bignay (wild berry), duhat (black plum) and guyabano.
A few foreign beer companies are in a joint venture with Asia Brewing Company in the Philippines. Coors, Colt 45 and Lone Star are three examples of American Beers that are actually brewed in the Philippines. The prices of the American beers, brewed in the Philippines, are cheaper than San Miguel Beer products in an attempt to level the competition field. San Miguel Pilsen is the Number One Beer in the Philippines.
There are a number of delis and restaurants in Bacolod City selling imported beers from UK, USA, Australia, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Japan, India, China, Thailand and from many other countries. If you are missing Newcastle Brown Ale from your home country, you can find it at one deli in Baocolod City. Are you ready to order a cold one?