Spotted

Anton Miranda

Anton is a cook and the creative behind Bataan-based home bakery, Old Boy Bakery (@bakedbytheoldboy), born and raised for a good portion of his childhood in Balanga, Bataan. He moved to Metro Manila for high school, studied, worked and lived in the city before returning back to the province in 2018 to develop a closer relationship with the culinary roots of his hometown. Besides the local Tagalog fare of Bataan, he is also passionate about the cuisine of the American South and enjoys creating bridges between these two food cultures that are more similar than they appear.

Best place to eat:

Lunico (@lunicoph)

A neighborhood restaurant by former Australian-based cruise chef, Louwell Sto. Domingo, the restaurant is tucked away in Earthfield Center, Balanga. Lunico serves a good mix of Western and Asian comfort food. It opens at 5 p.m., serving mostly dinner. Favorites here include Nasi Goreng, Lunico Fried Rice, Bacon Cream Cheese Packets and Smoked Ribs.

Best place to hang out:

Hanan Coffee Brewers

(@hanancoffeebrewers)

Opened during the pandemic by BJ & Tina Bautista who moved from Manila in 2006, Hanan started as a tiny stall serving coffee in Doña Francisca Park. It has since built and fostered a strong community and recently opened a much larger space in Brgy. San Jose, Balanga that also serves an all-day cocktail menu as well as homemade pastries like Gabi Keso Pie and Coconut Cake. I helped develop one of the drinks on their menu, The Friendly Martini, a smoother, “friendlier” take on the classic dry that is just as delicious.

Best advice

Do not limit yourself to Bataan’s coasts and beaches (although they are beautiful!) which are what Bataan is most known for. There is a lot to explore in my hometown of Balanga and its neighboring towns, which a lot of people from the city miss when heading to Bataan. The 2.5- to 3-hour drive here is also not as long as you think it is!

Best place to shop: Balanga Public Market

Been visiting our palengke (market) for as long as I can remember and it’s definitely played an important part to my journey as a cook. This place helped cement my belief that some of the best ingredients are the ones grown and sourced closest to you. Smoked fish is one of Bataan’s local specialities and this is where you can get some of the best — the male galunggong (round scad) is my favorite, fried to a crisp, and served with a crispy sunny side-up egg and intensely garlicky fried rice.

Best place to stay:

Montemar Beach Club (@montemarbeachclubph)

Montemar is one of the earliest resorts built in Bagac, Bataan that attracted tourists from all over for years to spend their weekends and summers here. There is a lived-in, quiet charm to the beach and its neighboring structures that make for a peaceful getaway whether you are coming from the city of Metro Manila or even just Balanga, which is a scenic 45-minute drive away. Photo by Montemar Beach Club.