Manila has gone gaga over the mango float.
Inspired by the classic icebox cake made of graham crackers, all-purpose cream, and mangoes — a staple at Filipino parties nationwide — mall kiosks like Happy Mango and Maxi Mango have become popular for their versions made with soft-serve ice cream.
The latest brand to join the craze is ice cream store Manila Creamery, which launched its own take on the trend on Saturday. The company’s calling theirs the Mango Float Parfait — it weighs in at 12 oz. and is priced at PHP170 (US$3.21) a cup, and features layers of pandan whipped cream, cookie butter caramel, crushed cookie biscuits, and graham cracker crumble.
The best thing about it, however, is the mangoes, which are apparently sourced all the way from Guimaras — a province famous for growing the delectable fruits.
The version sold at Manila Creamery’s Alabang branch uses soft serve ice cream, while those available at their stores in Quezon City and Mandaluyong are made with gelato.
In a phone interview with Coconuts Manila, the company’s head chef Jason Go said they wanted to feature their own version after seeing how so many people are getting really into mango float desserts.
Said Go, rather unabashedly: “We are just copying [after] seeing all the buzz. We’re a Filipino company and the mango float is everyone’s [favorite now] — so this is our own version.”
While Mango Float Parfait was created because it’s the hot thing on the nation’s sweets stage right now, Manila Creamery tells us that its new offering is actually planned to be a permanent fixture on its menu.
If you’re curious as to how this compares with other mango floats, then you can find these new ones at Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa; U.P. Town Center and Vertis North in Quezon City; and SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.
It’s only been two days since its launch, and their parfait has already been getting a lot of attention online — so be prepared to spend some time lining up for one.
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