Halo-Halo is the first thing that comes to mind when the Filipinos are asked about desserts. You can't, I mean can't, say you've been to Philippines when you haven't had Halo-Halo.

It's the  Filipinos' favorite- the sweetness to our sour moods, the heaven to our summer days, the rainbow to our rainy days. . .

• Halo-Halo: Favourite Dessert of The Philippines [ theculturetrip.com ; Ronica Valdeavilla ]
  "To cool off in the tropical heat, Philippine locals do one of three things: head for the nearest air-conditioned mall, dip into a swimming pool, or indulge themselves with a cup of their favourite ice-cold Halo-halo."
• Halo-Halo, The Ultimate Filipino Dessert, Gains In Popularity [ losangeles.cbslocal.com ]
  "Halo-halo is a favorite Filipino dessert or snack because it is cold and refreshing, perfect for beating the tropical heat that exists almost year round in the Philippines. [...] Halo-Halo is symbolic to Filipinos because the Filipino heritage and culture is also a smorgasbord, a “mix-mix” of so many culinary and cultural influences: Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, Spanish, American and many more. You know what’s another “mix-mix?” Los Angeles! This city is a melting pot (or salad bowl as others like to call it) of numerous cultures, food and people. Halo-halo fits right in."

Some even claimed it already...

• Summer desserts roundup: Halo-halo
  It’s time for the country’s national dessert [ nolisoli.ph ]
  "Halo-halo is, without a doubt, the Filipino’s favorite dessert. It’s uncomplicated, in that it only involves a base of crushed ice and evaporated milk, and then mixed in with as many other ingredients as one pleases. It can be colorful or monochromatic, over the top or plain. It’s so customizable and most importantly—it’s cool."

It even has its own day...

• March 18 is Mang Inasal National Halo-Halo Sarap Day
  "MANG Inasal declared March 18 as the "National Halo-Halo Sarap Day," officially opening the halo-halo season that Filipinos usually observe at the onset of summer."

There are numerous delicious, native desserts found in the Philippines but Halo-Halo stood out as our most sought-out sweets no matter the season. Halo-halo has taken over different countries around the world, recipe has been modified countless of times.

• Behold Halo-Halo, the Filipino Dessert That's Taking Over New York City [ theatlantic.com ; Alexander Abad Santos ]
  "In the latest sign that New York City's obsession with Filipino food is legit, halo-halo, the absolutely insane, unapologetically messy, bean-encrusted dessert, is threatening to eclipse the cronut as the summer's best sweet treat."
  
• Halo-Halo, The Ultimate Filipino Dessert, Gains In Popularity [ losangeles.cbslocal.com ]
  "There is a Filipino dessert that has long existed in the sunny City of Angels, but is gaining popularity among non-Filipinos. It’s a smorgasbord of many flavors, textures and ingredients called halo-halo. Halo-Halo translated from Tagalog/Filipino literally means “mix-mix.”"
  "Filipino Food is inching its way up to become the next big Southeast Asian cuisine. In a 2012 interview, Andrew Zimmern, host of “Bizarre Foods” on the Travel Channel, said, “I predict, two years from now, Filipino food will be what we will have been talking about for six months… I think that’s going to be the next big thing.” In his new show, “Parts Unknown,” Anthony Bourdain visits Los Angeles and tries halo-halo from Jollibee. Bourdain called it “oddly beautiful.”"

Don't you think it's time to officially declare Halo-Halo as the National Dessert?