Miagao Salt or “Budbud” is an ancient rock salt that has been around in Iloilo, Philippines since the 1800s. The coastal town has seen its glory days during those times as salt beds were aplenty across the villages of the province.
Lorlie is the last woman “asindero” (salt maker) standing between the extinction of this dying tradition of salt making in the country because of climate change and heavy commercialization. We documented the slow art of baking budbud that still uses traditional tools like bamboo branches and sun drying methods that produce the most beautiful artisanal rock salt that transforms the way you cook. Watch the full video to get to know how this precious salt is made.
Check out our Filipino Artisanal Salt series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlaLRniCHL9SiOmQXzuaGj7ylNxKYLM0o
For orders:
De Paul Budbud Sea Salt
Lorlie Noblezada, 09957802224
https://www.facebook.com/lorlie.noblezada.1?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Miagao, Iloilo
Sources:
Philippine News Agency, “Iloilo Town Seeks To Revive Dying Salt Industry” by Perla Lena (June 12, 2023)
Daily Guardian, “‘Budbud Asinderos’ The Last Salt Farmers of Iloilo” (May 19, 2021)
Sulu Garden, “A Fisherfolk Salt-making Tradition Doomed to Extinction” by Jonathan R. Matias (April 17, 2015)
Manila Bulletin, “Salt Shortage Leads to Importation” by Zoilo “Bingo” P. Dejresco III (January 10, 2023)
Learn the story of “Budbud” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NYVF_P02Ok
