Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Every summer, for only a short season, the forests of Ilocos offer abuos, the edible brood of weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), locally known as hantik.
Often called the “caviar of Ilocos,” abuos has a soft, creamy texture similar to roe, with a delicate pop when eaten. Harvesting it is another story. Weaver ants build nests by joining leaves high in the trees, and gatherers must navigate the forest and endure the ants' painful bites to reach them.
In this episode of 82 Provinces, we follow a seasoned harvester to understand the skill and knowledge behind this fleeting harvest before bringing abuos home for a simple meal.
Special thanks to:
Archie Omnes
Anita Omnes
Erwan's food trip in Ilocos: youtu.be/_WWi7oCZjj0
Jump to:
(0:00) Intro
(1:00) Harvesting Abuos
(2:50) Challenges
(5:00) Cooking Abuos
(7:00) The Future, Outro
Shop our merch: shop.featrmedia.com
Shop the products that we featured: https://chingolodeli.ph/collections/featr-finds
-------------------------------
We are looking for collaborators, content producers, brands, and anyone who has a story to tell. Email us at hello@thefatkidinside.com
The Fat Kid Inside Studios
Erwan Heussaff - Founder
Kashka Gaddi - Creative Director
Eamonn Quizon - Cinematographer
Edel Valera - Story Producer
Harold Singzon - Story Producer
Mary Lournette Baligod - Story Producer
Kleo Balares - Supervising Producer
Hans Rivera - Creative Director
Janelle Sy - Content Producer
Elyzza Ragodon - Associate Producer
Julius Rivera - Videographer
Lorraine Santos - Editor
Dana Blasé - Editor
Kim Arroyo - Editor
Evan Olfato - Editor
Hazel Juniosa - Editor
Whilhem Lorena - Multimedia Editor
RM Alfonso - Multimedia Editor
Martin Narisma - Food Editor
Ynna Gaita - Junior Food Editor
Kathryna de Bustos - Social Media and Content Manager
Chester Velasco - Studio Manager & Camera Operator
Kevin Amponin - Production Assistant
Dustin Dagamac - Colorist
Sofia Paderes - Graphic Artist & Illustrator
Joshua Gonzales - Graphic Designer
Dajed Binauhan - Multimedia Artist
Eros Deocariza - Multimedia Artist
Bianca Adriano - Accounts & Sales Coordinator
Donalyn Aranda - Administrative Accountant
Jennylyn Quizon - Admin Accounting Assistant
Marvin Hernandez - Messenger
Janette Mellina - Office Maintenance Personnel
Sandy Mellina - Office Maintenance Personnel
Content Creators:
Seth Alonzo
Samuelle Bawasanta
Trisha Chua
Nica Soledad
Interns:
Fionna Virgo
Dharlene Ilagan
John Gabriel Gemzon
Social Media:
instagram.com/featrmedia
tiktok.com/@featrmedia
facebook.com/featrmedia
https://x.com/featrmedia
threads.com/@featrmedia
Follow Erwan:
instagram.com/erwan
threads.com/@erwan
Every summer, for only a short season, the forests of Ilocos offer abuos, the edible brood of weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), locally known as hantik.
Often called the “caviar of Ilocos,” abuos has a soft, creamy texture similar to roe, with a delicate pop when eaten. Harvesting it is another story. Weaver ants build nests by joining leaves high in the trees, and gatherers must navigate the forest and endure the ants' painful bites to reach them.
In this episode of 82 Provinces, we follow a seasoned harvester to understand the skill and knowledge behind this fleeting harvest before bringing abuos home for a simple meal.
Special thanks to:
Archie Omnes
Anita Omnes
Erwan's food trip in Ilocos: youtu.be/_WWi7oCZjj0
Jump to:
(0:00) Intro
(1:00) Harvesting Abuos
(2:50) Challenges
(5:00) Cooking Abuos
(7:00) The Future, Outro
Shop our merch: shop.featrmedia.com
Shop the products that we featured: https://chingolodeli.ph/collections/featr-finds
-------------------------------
We are looking for collaborators, content producers, brands, and anyone who has a story to tell. Email us at hello@thefatkidinside.com
The Fat Kid Inside Studios
Erwan Heussaff - Founder
Kashka Gaddi - Creative Director
Eamonn Quizon - Cinematographer
Edel Valera - Story Producer
Harold Singzon - Story Producer
Mary Lournette Baligod - Story Producer
Kleo Balares - Supervising Producer
Hans Rivera - Creative Director
Janelle Sy - Content Producer
Elyzza Ragodon - Associate Producer
Julius Rivera - Videographer
Lorraine Santos - Editor
Dana Blasé - Editor
Kim Arroyo - Editor
Evan Olfato - Editor
Hazel Juniosa - Editor
Whilhem Lorena - Multimedia Editor
RM Alfonso - Multimedia Editor
Martin Narisma - Food Editor
Ynna Gaita - Junior Food Editor
Kathryna de Bustos - Social Media and Content Manager
Chester Velasco - Studio Manager & Camera Operator
Kevin Amponin - Production Assistant
Dustin Dagamac - Colorist
Sofia Paderes - Graphic Artist & Illustrator
Joshua Gonzales - Graphic Designer
Dajed Binauhan - Multimedia Artist
Eros Deocariza - Multimedia Artist
Bianca Adriano - Accounts & Sales Coordinator
Donalyn Aranda - Administrative Accountant
Jennylyn Quizon - Admin Accounting Assistant
Marvin Hernandez - Messenger
Janette Mellina - Office Maintenance Personnel
Sandy Mellina - Office Maintenance Personnel
Content Creators:
Seth Alonzo
Samuelle Bawasanta
Trisha Chua
Nica Soledad
Interns:
Fionna Virgo
Dharlene Ilagan
John Gabriel Gemzon
Social Media:
instagram.com/featrmedia
tiktok.com/@featrmedia
facebook.com/featrmedia
https://x.com/featrmedia
threads.com/@featrmedia
Follow Erwan:
instagram.com/erwan
threads.com/@erwan
