A Rare Sugar from the Philippines is Disappearing (The Pakaskas of Isla Verde, Batangas)

Pakaskas is a sweetener that is handmade in Batangas, Philippines. It is made from Buri palm sap that is simmered for hours and is caramelized to perfection. It is then thoughtfully wrapped with Buri leaves which makes for a beautiful treat that is both organic and eco-friendly. On this episode of Heirlooms, we wandered the volcanic island of Isla Verde where Bonifacio Calahati has been making Pakaskas for 22 years and counting-in a hut in the middle of a lush forest.
Jump to:
(0:00) Intro
(0:19) What is Pakaskas
(1:00) Isla Verde, Batangas
(2:00) Bonifacio Calahati
(3:20) Making Pakaskas
(9:20) Outro
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The Fat Kid Inside Studios
Erwan Heussaff - Founder
Kashka Gaddi - Content Producer
Eamonn Quizon - Cinematographer
Edel Cayetano - Story Producer
Harold Singzon - Story Producer
Kleo Balares - Editorial Producer
Julius Rivera - Videographer
Steven Sune - Editor
Lorraine Santos - Editor
Dana Blaze - Editor
Ivan Christian Cocjin - Editor
Martin Narisma - Food Editor
Kathryna de Bustos - Content Manager
Chester Velasco - Production Assistant
Kevin Amponin - Production Assistant
Dustin Dagamac - Colorist
Sofia Paderes - Graphic Designer
Kim Manuel - Graphic Designer
Roanne Salvacion - Accountant
Donalyn Aranda - Accounting Assistant
Interns:
Mary Lournette Baligod
Patricia Beatrice Te Seng
Hans Rivera
Mary Zarrahmaiden Cabrera
Alyssa Gwyneth King
Social Media:
/ featrmedia
/ featrmedia
/ featrmedia
/ erwan
/ erwanheussaff

[@Metm59]

Fifty years later, I can still remember the taste and smell of pakaskas. Grainy, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth 🤤 We used to live in Tabangao and my father loved pakaskas. He would eat it as a quick snack or dessert, and on Good Fridays, when he’s fasting, he would declare that he could hold off on eating meals by subsisting on pakaskas and water. The bangka ride to Verde Island also brought up a very memorable and happy event from my childhood. One day, the company my father worked for organized an outing for the families of employees. We boarded a tugboat at the refinery jetty that took us out to what I believe was Verde Island and anchored offshore so that we could swim in the sea. I couldn’t get over how clear and blue the water was 😃 Love this video, I’m sharing it with my family 😍

[@queenelyngonzales]

Pamangkin ko po yung dalwa bata. Hehehe.

[@diaval6855]

Wow, im living here in tabangao alplaya 🤗

[@justsomerandompotato1986]

@@queenelyngonzales ang cute nung bata ☺️☺️

[@tmip4379]

@@queenelyngonzales Saan makakabili nito?

[@kjacob]

@@queenelyngonzales ang cute mo naman ate este yung bata hahaha

[@jestynick]

I thought theres an issue with the voice over so i have to look into the comments. This type of story telling is completely genuine. Idk how to explain but i fee like im in the island itself. The sound of the nature, the cinematic experience, its just impeccable. Thanks for this, FEATR!

[@agapentos49]

I so love this feature. The documentation style is cinematic and so authentic no voice overs and personalities just the locals. Please continue this kind of advocacy making local produce known once again and now globally in the digital age. Thank you FEATR for your hardwork and research.

[@sherwinxxi]

As a Batangas City local, this makes me proud. I hope more people will appreciate and once again gave life to this awesome treat!

[@errolgicana6356]

Magkano po itong pakaskas? Never tried it

[@titabelen7594]

Naku need ko pa punta ng Batangas to have this? 😍Online po pwede order?

[@Kopie0830]

I hope your Filipino, You can start it mate if you have the money and sell it online so we here Australians can enjoy this yummy goodness.

[@jcbilbao5679]

this format is the best. no narration (no that it's bad, and tbh, erwan's a good narrator), just the raw sounds coming from the subject being documented. kinda like primitive technology's format. it's just so soothing to watch vids like this.

[@traphimawari7760]

This video warms my heart knowing these traditions and cultures continue to thrive and slowly return as more awareness is being spread around through media

[@karenjereos604]

I appreciate this kind of “silent” documentary ❤️ more of this please!

[@JeffreyOcaya]

Erwan and co, you are cultural life-savers. Thank you for the promotion of the preservation of these things that we Filipinos should actually treasure and nurture. I hope the government takes notice and takes action for supporting and making these traditional things thrive again!

[@kaessey]

As Filipinos, we’re so proud of our culture but we still prefer celebrating other cultures than our own. These artisans should be treasured and these crafts should be honed and passed on to the next generation.

[@alyana2859]

I love how straightforward the cinematography is. Thank you for bringing this into light!!! As a Filipino, we should be more aware of these situations in order to hopefully let the future witness what we still have.

[@junomaranan1101]

Before moving to the states, I spent 10 yrs of my formative childhood in Batangas City living with my grandparents. As a child, pakaskas was a memorable treat for me & my best friends! They were sold in dried buri leaves & stacked into a cylinder. Precious memories of family, friends, & simple pleasures that is permanently stored in my mind. Please keep these organic, traditional sweet treats forever alive!

[@ayrasanmiguel9363]

THANK YOU FOR THIS FEATR! IT FEELS LIKE I AM WATCHING AN INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY! I LOVE IT AS ALWAYS! MORE POWERS TO THE TEAM! GOD BLESS! ☺️👏👏👏❤️‍🔥

[@featrmedia]

More to come! Thanks for subscribing.

[@mahendrasatyanarayana3003]

​@@featrmediaThanks for another interesting video - I enjoyed watching it end to end. In South India, there is a similar looking palm tree using which sugar is produced. The scale of operation is much smaller

[@MamitaClaud]

Gone were the days when these were peddled in the streets. Growing up, delicacies like pakaskas, kesong puti, kakanin, bislad and many others were normally nilalako sa bahay bahay. Young people are missing the basic good & natural things in life now. I can always relate to your video content such as this one. Btw, I am surprised that you were in Tabangao. Most people know only the pier. That is just a stone's throw away from our hydroponics farm in the bundok. You also passed by the house where my children grew up. Pinarentahan nalang namin ang tegula house. We had to look for a nearer house when all my kids went to uni. Anyway, everytime you go to the south you will always pass by our homes along the slex. I hope hindi nyo nalanghap ang pollution from the chemical plants there. It is not as bad as before daw. Magaling content writers nyo.

[@litacanaman4919]

I love kesong Puti ,I always buy to Street vendor,lately I dont see not more .

[@gm2655]

Filipinos are brainwashed by media into patronizing McDonald's and Jollibee

[@mysbhyv1707]

Enjoyed these when I worked-lived in Batangas City, a co-worker is a native of Isla Verde and got to visit their friendly community. They harvest these palm sugar directly from the trees, so good 😋

[@nordenx]

I grew up in Oriental Mindoro in the 1970s-80s. As a neighboring island, pakaskas was sold there as well. I used to buy and eat them back when I was in elementary & high school. I left the Philippines in 1989 and didn't go back home until 2010. In my short visits since then, I've not seen pakaskas in the stores and market of Mindoro. The last time I had one was back in the late 80s. I can still remember the taste. This video made me reminisce and remember my childhood. Thank you for sharing this.

[@dilipmahanta8479]

Reproduce please for future generations.

[@dianee4049]

now this is quality content. hands down to FEATR and the entire production crew! it’s not all the time we have people who pour out their creativity and passion into a 10-minute video. this was very well written 🥹 looking forward for more!!!! ❤

[@kanorjunior8306]

I'm very glad that the Channel is evolving. Introducing Filipino culture with interesting documentaries. Keep up the Great work.

[@jennypepster1462]

Growing up in Batangas City (with ties to Isla Verde), we used to wait for the pakaskas season when we would receive bundles of it. I'm the youngest in the family and was given most of it. Would never forget the taste. I rarely get some nowadays. The casitas themselves are works of art (wish you featured how they're made). And they look so small in this video, they had bigger diameters back in the day.

[@Eatmydust017]

Exactly, Bigger and deeper

[@icared4338]

Nowadays everything’s expensive

[@manuelgerardoranido8994]

I appreciate how FEATR documents the most local food traditions in the Philippines!

[@annabellegauden7081]

Ay naalala ko yang pakaskas nung bata pako paborito yan ni nanay na panghimagas katapos kumain, ang sarap nyan saka yung panutsa, lagi akong kumakain nyan kaso nasobrahan yata kain ko ng pakaskas at panutsa kaya ayun nasira ngipin ko, saka tumaas ang sugar level ko . Memories... I'm 57 years old now, not much left with my natural teeth and I'm on a diet as I'm at risk of type 2 diabetes, lesson learned anything that's too much is not good. Thank you sir for documenting pakaskas , the original Filipino candy 🇵🇭 God bless po

[@jonadithdargantes2123]

This is so relaxing. Thank you for this

[@featrmedia]

Glad you enjoyed it! It's a new series called Heirloom.

[@jeffreyaguilar3271]

I love the new video format. No talking. It's very relaxing.

[@diabantugon5931]

Thank you for featuring Isla Verde Batangas. My maternal side was from isla Verde, we tend to spend our holidays there during Summer. The calm breeze, and unpolluted island are definitely one of the reason we loved there. Payak na pamumuhay ika nga” No electricity and water sa ISLA,kaya more time of bonding with ur families and friends.

[@miguelguevara1512]

Pakaskas was fairly common when I was growing up in Batangas during the 80's and can actually be bought in local sari-sari stores.

[@ludysablan52]

Hindi na ako nakakakita ng pakaskas dito sa Manila,,Dati kahit sa maliit na tindahan meron nyan,at ngayon ko lag nalaman at my age of 73,,hindi pala out of sugarcane giagawa yan,,NICE ,,,now i know and i will share this to my apos ,,to know what is “PAKASKAS”👏👏👏👍👍🙏✌️✌️✌️🥰🤗❤️🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@Manfred-cf9rn]

Pakaskas!! Had it every time we visited our Grandma in Batangas.. Am 75-now..and can still recall its unique taste.. Reminds me of our granny too😢

[@mina4530]

This was a wonderful feature. I didn't even know the Philippines has these sweet treats, its process is like art. I hope this won't disappear.

[@noellecadwising3115]

This is the kind of content we need more of. Thank you for this nice feature! Magnifique!

[@leah_riiaalfarero3198]

I actually really like this type of story telling, it has this serene vibe that feels so real

[@leonanzures8902]

I love this ,..when I was Kid in Manila , after School Vendors with "Pakaskas "Would lin up in the street infront of the School Selling Guavas sliced Papaya ,.everything worth 5 cents ..and pakaskas is my Favorite ,..that Was 1947.........76 years Ago ,..

[@Ladybug8899]

Brings back one’s childhood

[@apinezstats2237]

I've always been curious about those hanging stacked objects being sold at Lipa City terminal. Pakaskas pala yon! Thank you for this amazing and insightful story. I'm definitely gonna buy some the next time I see them at Lipa.

[@gadaboutjourney3040]

Erwan/FEATR Team. Salamat Po!!! This video was truly worthy of a documentry short film award, as are most of your YT videos. Thank you as always for showing us another part of the Philippines that most of us never see, visit, let alone, have knowledge of. Verde Island is now on my list of places to visit on my next holiday in the Philippines. Keep those videos coming and again, Salamat Po!!!

[@taehyunggiekim915]

We call this "kalamay sa buri" in our municipality in Iloilo😍

[@esojanacig5138]

Sa Tigbawan ka Maka bakal sini? Sa Kwadrado Naka butang namit! Laway na ako 😁

[@lizmedina2527]

OMG the best video I've ever seen, so authentic. I've never heard or seen pakaskas, now I want to go to Isla Verde. Ito ang Bayan ko, Filipinas minamahal. Bravo, ñor Bonifacio.

[@MsBorjz]

This is an awesome documentary! Congratulations, Featr! 🎉

[@PreciousB1983]

Nice video! My mother is from Panhulan, Batangas so I’m half Batanguenya half Cebuana. I can’t wait to visit Batangas again.

[@xxxnini]

My this is such a beautifully produced video!!! Featr deserve more views and subs

[@gabgab9417]

You've got me with how you create your videos. No voice over and everything's smooth. You just got me subscribe your channel! :)

[@maryjaycena1593]

A glimpse of our kababayan’s everyday life told beautifully thru the quality of work you give to it. Hope it reaches more viewers.

[@tofu623]

Thank you for making this content. I’d love to see more of the artisan goods in the Philippines 😊

[@pak.sensei]

This is beautiful. ❤ I love this type of content you make. Thank you for doing this.

[@gaylucido-willsher1143]

I love how the video was made. Thabk you thank you for showing and documenting these wonderful Filipino delicasies

[@michas716]

I love it. This feature is so simple, pure and sincere. A refreshing treat and rarity nowadays. I can almost smell the caramelized palm from here. Enjoyed it.

[@pedstuffperaren8248]

thanks for sharing, hope to have more buri plants to grow

[@macopa12]

I love that you featured this particular sugar--- I remember seeing it growing up. Thank you for sharing.

[@RexRaymondTorrecampo]

Very compelling kahit walang narrator. Absolute thumbs up!

[@AquaMarieYohan]

I was waiting for the background music and VO to start. Had to pause and check for audio issues😂 This is so calming to watch

[@kiamberlysteene]

Thank you for this great content. Continue to feature this kind of documentary. Avid fan here ever since 👋😊

[@Layput]

This is a very nice format and the camera works are outstanding. It feels like watching people in their natural habitat.

[@oniking7460]

as a digital artist , i love watching and listening to this kind of vid while i am working or eating or while having a coffee in the morning or late afternoon

[@francismaypositivethoughts4304]

Super love this kind of content & there so many traditional foods in Philippines that needs to be discovered & featured .. Hopefully you will produce more videos same as this..

[@aumarigan]

Love the pakaskas. Used to bring a few of this home for pasalubong after visiting my family's hometown. It has a unique texture, taste and smell. Wala pang Goldilocks at Dunkin Donuts for pasalubong noon. Puro classic Batangas sweets ang laging dala namin bilang pasalubong kada taon kamiy uuwi ng probinsya. Eto yung mga sinauna na mga sweets na may unique and organic packaging.

[@marvssss4842]

Loving the treatment for this documentary video!

[@eybibiwayd]

Omg! Pakaskas. It's our favorite when were young. I miss Isla Verde. Thank you for this. ❤️🥺

[@titabelen7594]

OMG! This is my favorite! 🤩Wish I can have a taste of this again😍🧡🙏

[@markpunay9929]

i live in ph and it's the first time i heard of this. love this video. Thank you!

[@kynonbayog504]

a very nice feature bro . very nice . SSS Class Documentary right here .

[@ladyvozz9355]

very genuine! Congratulations for another interesting feature story of a Filipino heritage and culture. :)

[@carylmagno6644]

This was a fave during my childhood, nabibili lang din madalas sa tindahan. 6pesos ata per canister. I like sweet stuff and nginangabngab ko hanggang maubos haha. This vid is so relaxing, nostalgic rin. Brings back memories when we used to visit Isla Verde back then…

[@allaneo2]

Thanks for featuring my childhood snack especially every summer/holy week (usually when we go to my lola's house and she usually have this bundle and we eat it as dessert).

[@chiquicartagena]

Galing ng pagkagawa ng docu. It makes me want to search out for pakaskas.

[@queenelyngonzales]

Thanks for featuring my 2 pamangkin😁 and im grateful dahil may gantong documentary about pakaskas, at habang tumatagal kumukonti na ang gumagawa nyan. Sana lang maipagpatuloy pa yan sa susunod na henerasyon.

[@featrmedia]

Thanks po! ❤️

[@MrBroccoliStew]

I've always been curious about 'Pakaskas'. Glad to see the process and outcome. I hope this heirloom will not disappear 🙏🏻

[@ronnieb8448]

Amazing documentary…really appreciate FEATR for bringing this story to my awareness. Kudos to the whole team. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@thepreparedpinoychannel5637]

Another great series! Keep it up FEATR!

[@shairamaemasangkay8497]

I'm from Isla Verde. Thankyou for this. ❤️

[@jocelynsalgado4799]

My tongue will never forget the great taste of pakaskas. Unang kain ko ng pakaskas ay noon mga bata pa kami.

[@demronblackmoon4666]

idk what element it has, but this video has an exquisite peace watching it. really enjoyed it!

[@guiagarcia1568]

Hope that this will be supported by the government and be available all over the Philippines and can be exported

[@kcehclgoff986]

Another great docu!

[@peppaslittleadventures5935]

The cinematography is great!

[@iKilleas]

From Lobo, Batangas. Isa sa mga childhood snacks namin. Isa sa mga pagkain na sa Batangas lang talaga. Isa na din ang pinais na Dulong. Salamat sa pagappreciate sa pagkain namin dito sa Batangas.

[@James-xi8dr]

Tanda ko dati, may sinamahan akong kaibigan na nag cacatering at ang sinerbisan namin jan sa isla verde malaking bahay sya, na 3rd floor ata tapos may bata dun na may kapansanan at malupet sya mag drums. Tapos nagtitinda sila ng pakaskas sobrang sarap bente pa presyo nyan 3 bilog

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

Abundance in Malaysia (Palm Sugar or gula melaka) Use for braise pork, sweet dessert, kuih2, any cooking replacing sugar also can. May defer little cooking style from village to village. Normally produce by small towns or rural areas. These type of sugar is special hand made, very delicious.

[@cubicleight]

Yes. This is Gula Melaka, indeed.

[@989puffy]

I tasted this and this is really good. Pinapapak ko usually and masarap sa kape

[@margaritasun7908]

EXACTLY!!!!😍

[@ig_antique]

Soothing! Thank you for this

[@jethrewmahinay6335]

I love this episode! 🫶🏻☺️

[@iustitiamerchantxiv5872]

I enjoyed the presentation. It's serene. I saw the subscribers are around 3M+. I was intrigued about the creator so I checked the main page. I recognized the guy. Asawa ni Anne ito ah! Bakit ngayon ko lang nadiskubre ang channel na ito? Subscribed because of how their videos are presented!

[@kathleenclairecaneja9157]

NAPAKAGANDA NG PAGKAKAGAWA. FAIR PLAY, FEATR!

[@ShaiTalks]

This is very interesting.. ☺️😍I was 👀👀👀 until the end... 😍😍😍

[@peraltadavidr]

Meron din samin nyan sa Pangasinan. same din ng pina kukuhaan na puno (silag). ang tawag naman samin is "pakasyat"

[@gabri_19]

Broooooo these are my favourite back when I was a kid…. I grew up in Batangas and I get to taste this delicious treats.. ever since I lived here in Italy I almost forgot about this omfg

[@DShortQoutes]

I really like the ambient sound in the introduction; it gives me a therapeutic effect and relaxes my brain.

[@janvasquez504]

Well done. Made me want to go and visit the island.

[@BenedictAquino]

Please make more of this informative video.

[@vernadethfaltado3894]

My favorite masarap po yan. wala na ako nakikita nyan ngayon na tinitinda dito sa amin. sana mapangalagaan ang kultura at may gumawa pa.

[@pixiecole6082]

Wow! FEATR is really an amazing platform to convey culture and traditions. My first time to see and hear about Pakaskas. 🙌🏼

[@wilardcondesa9402]

Sana maipamana p ang pggwa ng pakaskas na yn..yan ang isa sa maipagmamalaki nting mga pinoy...❤️

[@shergonz83]

I love this! Thank you for this content ♥️

[@gagonatadopa]

Great job!!! 👍 I'm in!

[@marrzcapanang]

They also have this type of sugar in Tigbauan Iloilo. Thanks for the feature

[@01_T0X1C]

Love this. No narrator just the original audio. Never heard of this food tho. I have tried panutsa, sundot kulangot patupat, kalamay na may mani.

[@jlmarasigan6421]

Been a long time since I saw Pakaskas. That’s what I am looking forward when my mom went home from the market as a pasalubong.

[@cramemichael2023]

Very Informative. Great Documentary

[@walterperry4565]

Great video

[@jonathanlobiano4100]

I love the vibe. So happy that I can view this wonder in Filipino culture. Tnx Erwan for sharing to ur vlogs. Godbless u and the team.👏❤️👏

[@juanamihan6217]

Loving this style of storytelling

[@jeromemalate2322]

I Really Appreciate these kinds of content.

[@jimbocajayon]

This approach is amazing, genius!

[@emperorquijote9594]

nakakamiss ito tagal q n d ulit nakakakaen neto...