Due to changing quarantine measures, the activities, destination/s, store/s, establishment/s featured in this article might be temporarily prohibited or closed under the latest government policies. LGUs might also implement health protocols and travel requirements. Please get in touch with the establishment/s before visiting. Stay safe!
(Image: Writer)
When it comes to knowing about a place, one safe bet would be to visit a tourist spot or historical landmark. It also pays not only to know about the locality, but also its people.
For some, another way to be familiar with a place is to go to the market.
In Negros Occidental, the Sipalay City Public Market may come inferior to the beaches that the place has to offer. However, it is still helpful when you need to prepare your food when you are there. It is also where you can see the products this not-so-sleepy city south of Negros Occidental has in store.
Read on to know more about the best finds in Sipalay City Public Market.
Flying fish
Barongoy (flying fish) is one of the best finds in Sipalay City. As a matter of fact, there is a festival celebrating the harvest of this kind of edible flying fish. The celebration is marked with street dancing, colorful costumes, and a contest on the pagdadaing (drying) of the barongoy.
Flying fish cooked during Barongoy Fishtival (Image: Writer)
Because of its abundance, barongoy is sold at only PhP50 to PhP75 per kilo.
Fish sold at Sipalay wet market (Image: Writer)
Vegetables and condiments are also sold at the wet market section of Sipalay City Public Market.
Other than barongoy, other types of fish are sold here, like lagaw (bisugo) and tilapia. These are sold at PhP270 to PhP300 per kilo and PhP130 to PhP180 per kilo, respectively. Meanwhile, bangus (milkfish) and crab are sold at PhP120 to PhP190 per kilo and PhP250 to PhP300, respectively.
To ensure the freshness of the fish, it is best to purchase them at 6:00 to 7:00 AM or at 4:00 to 5:00 PM when the fresh catch of the morning and afternoon are sold.
Native products
In Philippine markets, it is rare not to find locally produced products.
In the case of Sipalay City Public Market, handmade buri hats and bags are up for sale in the native products section.
Buri hats are sold at PhP50 to PhP100 per piece, while bag prices start at PhP180.
Buri hats and locally-produced bags (Image: Writer)
The native products section of Sipalay City Public Market is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Sunday.
Succulents
Probably the hippest find in the market are these cute ornamental plants called succulents. These low-maintenance plants need just a little spray of water in a week to survive.
A pot of succulent is sold at PhP80 to PhP350, depending on the variant and size.
Succulents for sale (Image: Writer)
Succulents for sale can be found near the wet market section of Sipalay City Public Market. Stalls are open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
How to get there
Buses going to Sipalay City or Dumaguete City can be found at the Bacolod South Bound Ceres Bus Terminal. Regular bus fare costs PhP253. Flat rate for tricycles in Sipalay is at PhP8 and can go as high as PhP10 depending on where you are going around the city. There are also foot-powered vehicles also known as trisikads which you can ride for PhP5.
Pension houses nearby costs PhP400 to PhP750 a night.
The general rule in knowing something about the city is that your discovery need not to cost too much. It only requires a lot of talking and open-mindedness. So, talk to those fish vendors, know what the succulent vendor thinks is best in the city, and find out how those handmade items are created.
Enjoy shopping and may you score the best finds wherever you travel!
Prices may change without prior notice.
