Looking back to last Christmas.
Obviously, I've been extremely busy and my energy just cannot sustain me to write here on Hive regularly. I have so much to share from our last vacation in the Philippines. It's unacceptable that I am still writing about Christmas when it's already March. 😢 So let me get this out before Christmas 2025 comes upon me. LOL.
Christmas in the Philippines is a whirlwind of family, food, and festive cheer. It's my first Christmas at home after 20 years and the first for my kids. So my sister and I decided to elevate our Noche Buena with a homemade charcuterie board. We envisioned a platter overflowing with delectable cheeses, savory cold cuts, fruits and nuts, etc. – a feast for the eyes and the taste buds!
We pre-ordered a beautiful cheese board online, but the real challenge was sourcing the ingredients. After searching for several possible sources online, we finally found Gerdtmans Delicatessen in Airbase, Lipa, Batangas, the closest spot offering the gourmet goodies we craved. And so, an adventure began!
Now, getting to Gerdtmans wasn't just a simple drive. We opted for public transport, specifically the iconic Filipino jeepney. This was a first for my Little Man and Little Miss, and their wide-eyed excitement was infectious. I was able to share about it here. Little Man loved it so much. It was a chaotic, charming, and utterly memorable trip.
We alighted the jeepney at the Petron Petrol Station in Airbase, Lipa. From there, we walked to the Base View Homes. There are lots of commercial spaces in the area. It was not a long walk.
Finally, we arrived at Gerdtmans. It was a cozy little shop, smaller than we expected, but packed with treasures. The storefront was simple, and a peek through the glass doors revealed a warm, inviting interior.
Some potential entries for the reflection hunter. LOL.
The interior.
The space was well-organized, with shelves lining the walls, showcasing a variety of cheeses, cold cuts, wines, and other gourmet delights. Refrigerated cases were filled with different types of cheeses, from creamy Brie, manchego, raclette, to sharp cheddar, and a tempting array of cured meats. We browsed the aisles, carefully selecting our ingredients, mindful of our budget.
Wheww, please dont break anything!
We actually came back here a second time for NYE. Apart from getting cheeses and cold cuts for our charcuterie board, we also looked for a bottle of wine to match.
Other items you may need, but of course these are already available in groceries and I would really suggest not buying here except if you do not have any choice, perhaps.
Outdoor dining.
We waited outside while our order was being packed. They have some tables and chairs for dining, too. So we settled there.
We haven't had lunch yet so we took a peek at their menu.
Errrm, on second thought, let's have lunch some place else! LOL. Quite pricey. Christmas will be in just a just a few days- we can wait to try these cheeses and cold cuts until then.
Worth it.
Finally, it's Christmas Eve! We were able to assemble a decent charcuterie board. It was the queen of our Noche Buena table. We proudly presented it to every one who came, and let them try it.
Deyym, these cheeses and cold cuts are something. The everyday cheese we consume really pales in comparison. My sister and I both agree that the salami picante was the best of all the cold cuts we got. Sorry, it's been over two months now and I already forgot what other cold cuts we got. I only remember salami picante, mortadella, and the normal salami. I also already forgot most of the cheeses' name.
Success.
Our Christmas charcuterie board was a success. It was worth it. We spent about Php 3,000 (~$51), about the same as the price of the made-to-order charcuterie board at Gerdtmans. But guess what, days passed and we still had cheese and cold cuts as random snacks.
Having enjoyed it a lot, we came back at Gerdtmans on our way back home from a post-Christmas trip to LIMA. We made another charcuterie for NYE.
Because why not?!
Gerdtmans is a must-visit for anyone in the Batangas area who would like to make their own cheese board. Gerdtmans makes it easy and fun, even for clueless folks like us. 😂 Their staff were so patient with all our questions, and they really helped us put together and choose the items that would make a charcuterie board that looked and tasted incredible. It just goes to show that sometimes the best discoveries are hiding in plain sight, just waiting for you to stumble upon them. Thank you, google! LOL.
All photos are owned by the author unless stated otherwise.
