As a kid who grew up in the 80s I remember summer for two things, Holy Week and Halo Halo.
Back then, before cable tv and way before the internet, you didn’t just know it was Holy Week–you felt it.
It was the quietest week of the year, the streets were empty and people stayed inside their homes because everyone felt bad about going on a vacation while Jesus was suffering on the cross.
It was like being in ECQ minus the facemask and food deliveries.
The other thing that I kept in my core memory was Halo-Halo.
Right before the Holy Week, my mom would come home from the supermarket and fill our ref with big jars of Nata de coco, red beans, Kaong, ube jam, leche flan, banana, langka and of course sago (pearls for you millennials and Gen-Zs). We had this blue ice crusher (which I think lasted more than 20 years) and we can have all the Halo-Halo we want for the rest of the summer.
I miss my mom and I would trade all the Halo Halo in the world just to be able to hug her one last time.
So when I got the invitation to the opening of Halo Halo Story, I knew my mom would just be as excited to try it out as I was.
Halo Halo Story is the newest dessert stop along Quezon Avenue, near Banawe. It’s basically a drive thru for all those who want a quick respite from the summer heat. But they also have a few other branches at SM Sta. Mesa (Food Hall) and SM Southmall (SM Food Court) where people can dine in as well.
There are several stories about the origins of Halo-Halo, some say it can be traced back to the Japanese shaved ice dessert called kakigori, which was introduced to the Philippines during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Filipinos then adapted the dessert to their liking by adding local ingredients and flavors, such as beans and coconut. Another dates back all the way to the Spanish era where shaved ice desserts were already a popular treat among the locals. When the Spanish introduced dairy products and sweeteners to the country, the Filipino version of shaved ice desserts evolved into the more complex halo-halo we know today.
Over the years, halo-halo has become a beloved national dessert here in the country, offering a refreshing treat that’s perfect for the hot weather and it has countless variations and interpretations depending on where you buy it.
Duncan Yu, the founder of Halo-Halo Story, said the idea behind Halo-Halo Story is to create a space where people can come together and enjoy delicious desserts while catching up on each other’s lives.
Yu wanted to bring back the vibe of people going to dessert places to chat and connect in person, rather than just chatting on social media. He envisioned it as a coffee alternative hangout, where people can “chill” with desserts and talk about anything under the sun.
What makes Halo-Halo Story different from the rest is their willingness to explore new flavors and ideas. Duncan believes that new ideas come from the past, and he’s not afraid to take inspiration from traditional Filipino desserts and put his own spin on them. He also believes in constantly improving their service and efficiency, and they are currently working on their menu and opening new branches.
Yu and his team developed the menu, and the process was quite challenging since he doesn’t cook or make desserts. To build a strong team that can deliver, he invited a long-time, trusted partner to join the team. Most of the flavors are from Duncan’s personal childhood favorites, and the first step is always the flavor. Duncan gets inspiration from his day-to-day activities, and then the team figures out how to turn the flavor into a dessert.
Their menu features a variety of unique flavors, such as Buko Pie, Four Cheese, and Maja Blanca. The Buko Pie flavor was inspired by Duncan’s fascination with the buko pie chains in Tagaytay, which are just a few meters away from each other and yet are still doing well. The Four Cheese flavor was a challenge to put together, as they had to figure out which four cheeses would work well together. And the Maja Blanca flavor was a childhood favorite of Duncan’s, which he always chose whenever an ambulant vendor would pass by offering different kakanin.
Halo-Halo Story is a testament to the Filipino love for sweet treats and connecting with others. Duncan Yu’s vision for creating a space for people to come together and enjoy delicious desserts is a refreshing alternative to the often solitary experience of scrolling through social media.
With their unique flavors and commitment to creating a space for people to connect over desserts, Halo-Halo Story might just be the coolest place to visit this summer to recall and share or maybe even create your own memorable Halo-Halo story.
NOTE: We haven’t tried their Halo Halo yet because of the number of people during opening day but be sure to follow us on social media for updates and our review!
