We passed by several hectares of coconut plantation while on our way to Bantayan Island in the province of Cebu. As young as 10 years old, some boys learn to climb to the top of the coconut tree and bend a premature fruit stalk to collect coconut vinegar (locally known as ‘tuba’). A bamboo container is hung from the tree overnight so the sap will run into it. The next morning, the gods will have rewarded this boy with a jar full of fresh tuba.
The tuba, a native alcoholic drink, is not sold in any stores or served in any restaurants or eateries. That’s a great pity because it is the drink of the gods. Some say that a good tuba is more than equal to the most expensive Dom Perignon.