5 types of halo-halo you'll find around the Philippines

In the Philippines, summer season means halo-halo season. Everywhere you go, you will meet people enjoying one, making one, or selling this gloriously loaded dessert as a means of keeping cool and enjoying the weather.

But did you know? The all-time Pinoy favorite dessert was invented 100 years ago? It only had three ingredients — monggo, ice, and milk — and was called "Mongo-ya."

As time passed, more ingredients were added into the dessert, allowing it to evolve into what it is today: a refreshing dessert/snack/summer staple loaded with goodies. 

But the evolution of Halo-Halo has not stopped. Unang Hirit on Tuesday reported of different provinces of the Philippines having different takes on the Halo-Halo.

Here are five versions from all around the Philippines.

1. Halo-halo de Iloko from La Union

The Halo-halo de Iloko consists of 12 ingredients, some of which are products from the province itself. There' the Ugoy, which are local crackers from San Fernando City; powdered rice from San Juan; Kam-Ube aka kamote ube from San Gabriel; honey from Bacnotan and shreds of buko.

As though that's not even, there is also a ginataan version and a fried version of the Halo-halo de Iloko. How inventive!

2. Halo-halo with pastillas from carabao's milk from Kabyaw, Nueva Ecija 

Instead of regular milk, the locals of Kabyaw, Nueva Ecija use carabao's milk as the star ingredient for their Halo-halo.

Over all, it features crushed ice, carabao's milk, gulaman, buko or coconut, langka, a thick slice of leche flan, pastillas de leche, pastillas de ube and lastly kundol.

3. Gelato Ice and salted egg from San Pablo, Laguna

Not only is the gelato ice the star of the Halo-Halo found in San Pablo, Laguna. It also features salted egg as a topping. 

And if you're into something spicy, the province also has Halo-Hhalo topped with siling labuyo to give your dessert a kick of spice.

4. Zamboanga's "Knickerbocker"

Zamboanga's version of Halo-halo is called "Knickerbocker."

It's as colorful as a Vinta, as it is filled with fruits such as watermelon, mango, and banana. But here's the real kicker: instead of ice, Zamboanga locals uses strawberry ice cream to complete the cold dessert.

5. Halo-halo with avocado from Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat 

Esperanza in Sultan Kudarat is considered the capital of Halo-Halo in the Soccsksagen region. In the Esperanza Public Market along, there are already 30 Halo-Halo stalls standing! 

And interestingly enough, what makes Halo-Halo different in Esperanza is the avocado locals add to their dessert.

How do you like your halo-halo? — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News