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My culinary journey started in the heart of our home with my dad. From a young boy of nine helping my father in the kitchen to a seasoned home cook, my life has been a continuous adventure in the culinary world. And it all began with the simple act of preparing ingredients, a task that sparked a lifelong passion for cooking.
Born and raised in the Philippines and a proud Ilocano, I welcome everyone to simply call me Kabayan.
It was at this age that my father taught me my very first recipe: a delicious stir-fried pork with basil leaves called “Igado” in Ilocano. That single dish was the seed from which my love for cooking grew.
At the age of eleven. I was immersed in the communal joy of assisting and preparing food ingredients for various occasions. Fiesta, weddings, anniversaries, and birthday celebrations.
In 2000, when an opportunity to work abroad in Saipan presented itself, I took the leap. I packed my bags, bringing my lifelong love and passion for cooking along with me.
Today, I’m blessed living in Saipan with my beautiful wife, continuing this journey one dish at a time.
Living far from home was not always easy, but preparing familiar dishes gave me comfort and kept me connected to my roots. Through cooking, I was able to share a part of my culture with others and turn ordinary days abroad into something warm and meaningful. It reminded me that no matter where life takes us, the taste of home can always live in our hearts and in our kitchens.
Cooking abroad comes with many challenges. There are times when the exact ingredients for a beloved recipe are simply not available, so you have to be creative and resourceful. By using alternative ingredients and adjusting techniques, I learned to recreate the original dish’s taste as closely as possible.
Over the years, my passion has only deepened. I take immense pride in cooking the dishes of my heritage. While my roots are firmly planted in Filipino cuisine, I’m also a culinary explorer at heart. I’m always on the lookout for new recipes, techniques, and flavors to learn and master.
I embrace both tradition and innovation in the kitchen, and I have a special fondness for the latest cooking gadgets that make cooking more efficient, healthier, and safer.
For me, cooking is a way to connect with my past, celebrate my present, and a continuous journey to discover new and exciting flavors.
The knowledge and experiences I learned are what I share with you on this blog, LutongAbroad.com. Cooking is not just about following recipes—it is about passion, adaptability, and keeping our culinary traditions alive wherever we are in the world.
This blog is where I share recipes, cooking tips, hacks, techniques, and skills I’ve picked up over the years.