How Dirty Ice Cream is Made (Filipino Sorbetes)

There is nothing better than homemade street ice cream in the Philippines. “Dirty ice cream” or “sorbetes” is a colloquial term for streetside ice cream that is served in push carts around the metro. Marlon Canaway started as an ice cream vendor and is now a proud small business owner that employs over 50 ice cream vendors. This is the tale of a Filipino childhood snack that’s beloved by everyone, regardless of social class, and Marlon’s inspiring story of hard work and dedication.

For orders:
Marlon Canaway
[phone]

Special thanks to:
Marlon Canaway
Domingo Adobas
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The Fat Kid Inside Studios

Erwan Heussaff - Founder
Kashka Gaddi - Content Producer
Eamonn Quizon - Cinematographer
Edel Cayetano - Story Producer
Harold Singzon - Story Producer
Mary Lournette Baligod - Story Producer
Kleo Balares - Editorial Producer
Hans Rivera - Multimedia Producer
Julius Rivera - Camera Operator
Steven Sune - Editor
Lorraine Santos - Editor
Dana Blaze - Editor
Ivan Christian Cocjin - Editor
MK Tayona - Editor
Martin Narisma - Food Editor
Kathryna de Bustos - Content Manager
Chester Velasco - Production Assistant
Kevin Amponin - Production Assistant
Dustin Dagamac - Colorist
Sofia Paderes - Graphic Designer
Kim Manuel - Graphic Designer
Roanne Salvacion - Accountant
Donalyn Aranda - Accounting Assistant

Social Media:

[bubblegum]

Sorbetes tastes better than commercial ice cream. This a very good feature. Manong's attitude is also very street-smart and practical. We should learn from him and his hard work. Kudos!

[lakan]

When my daughter had her 7th birthday i rented a sorbetes cart. It was a hit with the kids. It was gone within 2hrs. That's how good it is. Mamang sorbetero was happy, he got to go home early. Gave him a bonus for making his sorbetes extra special that day. Try sorbetes, if you want a unique party treat 😁

[milk_chocolxte]

a lot of people assume that high profile jobs have more worth than others, but in my opinion, it's humble jobs like these where you can see just how dedicated the vendors are that are the most honorable. thank you to all sorbeteros and other street food vendors who do their work <3

[lawrencebautista]

Most common flavours I see today are mango, cheese and avocado. Ocassionally I see ube and strawberry. But when I was a kid I remember seeing melon and langka. I lament these are no longer made by sorbeteros. Back in the days of our parents and grandparents, the common flavor was mantecado which is vanilla with butter or lard. Selecta offered this flavor back in 2013 and it was delicious. Too bad only Arce Dairy makes it today.

[tweedledee-zc]

To those complaining about the “dirty ice cream” name… it’s been called this way for many years. It’s just an expression or a nickname that has been passed down for years. It’s not necessarily insulting, degrading, or negative. It’s just a name. Ang OA naman ang mga tao sa comments. Filipino talaga are so nit-picky with everything. Stop trying to perfect everything in our culture. We know we’re proud to be Filipino but can’t always complain about everything.

[caileggedly]

sorbetes is literally so much better than commercial ice cream. it tastes different cart to cart, and the sorbetes from the cart you grew up with is the best 😊😊😊😊

[antoniobelermajr.]

This line hits hard, "Kailangan mo talage e, habang nagdadasal ka ay nagtatrabaho ka e, di ba? Kasi kung puro dasal ka ay walang mangyayari sa'yo e. Sana marami ng mayaman kung puro dasal na lang. Kailangan bago mo makuha ang isang bagay, kailangan pinagtrabahuhan mo, pinagsikapan mo, bago mo marating yung gusto mo." - Sir Marlon

[aglargalad]

This episode was awesome! Nothing beats Filipino "dirty" ice cream!

[Simkets]

Their language is so unique, I've heard English and even Spanish words as they were speaking.

[thvenus]

Napaka marangal na hanap buhay maitaguyod lang ni kuya. He deserves the success in his ice cream business! Salute.

[paWikangbaHi]

I call it Filipino Ice Cream, Sorbetes. We usually order a cart of sorbetes on family occasions, like coming-of-age parties, christenings, even weddings. It's relatively cheap, the owners are nice and accommodating, you can order the flavors that you want or need, and best of all, everybody loves it.

[onfourtris]

Until now, mas preferred ko yung "dirty ice cream" lalo na yung cheese, mango at ube. I've read somewhere na yung term na "dirty" ay galing sa malalaking company na nag p-produce ng ice cream. Dito sa amin buhay na buhay pa din ang business ng homemade ice cream kasi pang masa at masarap din.

[mln]

I love this type of ice cream! I knew there was some kind of additive to make it chewy and to make it survive the heat of the tropics. Cassava! God, Filipinos are brilliant! So many happy memories around the ice cream man. My parents would treat us after church on Sundays. Bless you ice cream makers and sellers. Keep going out there! People support these vendors. They are part of our cultural tradition. Besides, their ice cream is way tastier than the commercially made. All natural ingredients.

[alumba]

The humility of the Filipino working class is admirable, and this gentleman is a shining example.

[kuyaChristiann]

He's a true hustler and always had an entrepreneurial mindset. "It's either I sell something or go hungry". I also enjoy the artisanal ice cream made by locals. Give me ice cream on a hamburger bun and I will be happy.

[johnnystickhammerstein]

Nothing dirty about this ice cream. It’s a legacy of Filipino food, and is/was/still a part of a many childhood of Filipinos from all walks of life.

[victoriar]

mas healthy yung ingredients : pure and walang chemicals . i like it. thanks for featuring this.

[TobyKBTY]

Sobrang distinct ang flavor, texture, consistency ng FIlipino "dirty" ice cream. It's always such a treat, whether it's in a cone or burger bun!

[LJournals]

Hope this Filipino product and tradition lives on and many will be inspired to continue on this legacy and support small businesses. Pinoy na Pinoy

[tusukeros]

taho or pan de sal early in the morning, then kakanin 9-10am meryenda, then dirty ice cream in the afternoon or ice scramble, that is my childhood