Randy, you have to taste the real thing. Durian candy and durian ice cream are fine, but nowhere near the creamy sweetness with a bitter twist of the actual fruit. I actually dislike durian ice cream.
Stinking? It's just like smoking. It smells irritating when someone else is smoking and you're not. I think when you eat the durian, the smell begins to add to the taste.
That's the problem with the marang. When you see one outside its natural habitat, it's either unripe or overripe. It's best eaten right here but then Pampanga is just so far from Cotabato. Oh well.