Pila will always have a special spot in my heart, because it was the first city I've visited out of Manila. I've been there during a travel photography course and the idea was to explore anthropological aspects of the place. Well, that wasn't a difficult task - the town plaza and surrounding ancestral houses had been officially declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines.
As a historical city, the highlight is really the colonial vibe and the Spanish-style architecture. However, there's a venue that is often neglected when it comes to Pila. This place is the Public Market.
There you'll find lots of stalls with all kinds of food - fish, vegetables, fruits, local dishes and so on! Forget about Salcedo Saturday Market and its organic food vibe. The focus here is not a gourmet experience, but a picturesque journey full of local flavors - literally and figuratively! :) I highly recommend it! read more