Did you know that the dish, Bicol Express, was named after a train ride to the province?

It’s no secret that Bicol Express is a favorite among many Filipinos, but how was it was named such?

On “24 Oras” on Monday, Kuya Kim said the dish known for its unique flavorsas it is made with coconut milk, pepper, and meat was invented by a woman named Cely Kalaw.

It was just a nameless dish then, and it went on until she heard a train that was going to the Bicol Region. As such, it was named Bicol Express, which is now a special dish prepared in most parts of the country.

“Sa Bicol, may mga nagtitinda sa tabi ng mga station. Mayroong delicacy na kinakain nila na may gata, maanghang. Binibili ng maraming tao,” said Philippine National Railways General Manager Junn B. Magno.

(“In Bicol, there were vendors selling food beside the train station. There was this delicacy that they eat, which has coconut milk and is spicy. It was bought by a lot of people.”)

Meanwhile, the transportation department has signed a P142-billion contract that will allow passengers to travel four to six hours from Manila to Bicol instead of 14-18 hours. Bicol Express, indeed!

According to Magno, construction of the PNR South Long Haul project (PNR Bicol) will be done this year. -- Franchesca Viernes/BAP, GMA News