Our memories of Catbalogan are of karasa. Karasa nga pagkaon (delicious food) associated with our celebrations of life, year-round, from cradle to grave. “The culinary traditions of the Catbaloganons – with influences from the Spanish regime in Catbalogan for almost 300 years, from the Chinese migrants from mainland China, and local contributions from Samarnons from all over the island who had come for education, for business and residence – has pervaded . . . The promise of fresh kinilaw, the delicious tinola and sinugba invites Catbaloganons to come back to their hometown and to come back again and again for the karasa nga pagkaon.” — Charo Nabong-Cabardo – See more at: http://philippinereporter.com/2013/08/23/karasa-celebrating-catbalogans-culinary-traditions/#sthash.O0PT1FLW.dpuf