By: Cheryl M. Luis
Ice cream is an all-time favorite for all ages. It is a mixture of milk, cream, sugar, and sometimes other ingredients that have been frozen into a soft, creamy delight using special techniques, a popular treat for hundreds of years but only became commonplace with the widespread use of refrigeration.
Here in Iloilo, ice cream or ‘sorbetes’ is peddled by sorbeteros (ice cream vendor) using colorful painted wooden carts which accommodate three flavors in large metal canisters.
Peddlers get these carts from the makers in the morning and walk the streets the whole day calling ringing a small handheld bell.
However, did you know that the first ice cream or ‘sorbete’ in Iloilo dates back to 1965 in Barangay Anilao, Pavia Iloilo?
It was started by siblings Jovito Gobuyan Guadaña, Angel Gobuyan Guadaña and Bernandino Gobuyan Guadaña. The pioneering sorbete enterprise was a massive success, leading the three brothers to expand and pass down the business to their respective families.
Angel Guadaña launched his ‘Angel Ice Cream’ from a single cart and was succeeded by his three sons Sotero, Simeon and Rodolfo. They opened branches in different parts of Western Visayas like Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and Roxa City, Capiz.
To celebrates the humble sweet beginning of Brgy. Anilao, the barangay officials decided to commemorate this through ‘Ice Cream Day.’
“The idea of making this event was introduced to us two years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic started,” said Tito Henarios, Barangay Captain, of Anilao, Pavia.
‘Ice Cream Day’ celebration started with a mass by Fr. Elmo Montaño, the resident priest of Santa Monica Parish, Pavia Iloilo, followed by an ice cream-making contest and in the afternoon was the parade and awarding program.
Ice creams in different flavors are offers for free tasting to the public during the event. /PN
