MANILA, Philippines — Dumaguete’s pride, Silvanas, is a frozen cookie sandwich with buttercream filling. It is one of the ultimate "pasalubongs" that can be bought in different malls, even outside the Visayan city.
Philstar.com asked Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel "Chaco" Sagarbarria in one of the hosted dinners after the province's centennial celebration of its capitol. Sagarbarria's family owns San Rival Cakes & Pastries, the known pastry shop in Dumaguete that makes and sells Silvanas.
“All our Silvanas are produced here. We don't have other factories because we are very secretive about our recipe," he said.