Here is one thing that foreigners who plan to do business in the Philippines should know about the country’s culture. When one goes to a tourist magnet like the island of Negros, there is one item on top of their shopping list: “pasalubong” or souvenir, a gift a tourist brings back home to his family and friends. It may be a local craft or a shirt that is printed with the name of the place the tourist travelled to. Most often, though, it is a food item.

The local delicacies of Bacolod and Dumaguete, which are major cities in Negros, are known all over the Philippines. So, it would indeed be considered an incomplete trip for you to miss out on sampling these native goodies. Allow us to tell you about some of the tasty treats that you can find in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

The “piaya,” inarguably, is the trademark delicacy of the Negrense province. It is a round, sweet and flat piece of bread that has been rolled with “mascuvado,” a type of sugar famous in the Philippines. It has a caramel filling and is topped with sesame seeds.

The famous “budbud” has two variations in Negros. “Budbud kabog” is more common around the country, while “budbud sa Tanjay” is known for its more distinct sweetness and chewiness. “Budbud” is made of millet, which is fine, yellowish grain. It is cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves.

Other delicacies that you should mark on your shopping list as you visit Negros are jam squares, butterscotch squares, caramel tarts and “energy food.” The latter is a combination of rice crispies and dried fruit.