MANILA – There's more to ube than just being served for dessert and the Boholanos are definitely aware of that.

Unknown to some people, ube (or ubi) holds a very special place in the hearts of locals in Bohol.

Aside from being one of the top producers of the crop in the country, the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council said ube has also saved a lot of Boholanos from severe famine during the war. Hence, they have begun observing an annual festival to manifest their gratitude for a good harvest.

Last Friday, Bohol celebrated the 17th Ubi Festival which was graced by Governor Edgar Chatto.

The event, which was held at Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City, showcased different varieties of ube from various Bohol towns. It also featured some delicacies that could be made out of it.

In line with the annual festival, some resorts and restaurants in the province also included special ube dishes or drinks in their menus.

Here are some photos from the festival and some dishes that could be made from ube:

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto leads the ribbon-cutting of the 17th Ubi Festival.

Fried ube prawn puff with hoisin barbecue sauce and pickled cabbage salad at Amorita Resort.

Salad with peanut kisses and ube chunks at 10:31 restaurant in Tagbilaran City.

Ube lava cake at Amorita Resort

Ube royale cake at 10:31 restaurant in Tagbilaran City

Ube opera cake at Bellevue Resort

Turon with ube and langka at Amarela Resort

Ube shake at Amarela Resort

Boholanos and tourists flock to the 17th Ubi Festival in Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City.

A booth at the 17th Ubi Festival in Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City.

An ube delicacy is showcased at the 17th Ubi Festival in Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City.

A booth at the 17th Ubi Festival in Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City

A booth at the 17th Ubi Festival in Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City

A booth at the 17th Ubi Festival in Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City