Kapampangan foodfest showcases native, authentic dishes

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visits one of the food kiosks showcasing authentic Kapampangan cuisine during the Kapampangan Food Festival held at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga on December 7, 2017. (Photo by Rolando Mailo/Presidential Photo)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga— Sisig, Pindang Damulag,  Batute Tugak, Camaru, Morcon, Bringhe are among the authentic dishes featured in the Kapampangan Food Festival which kicked off Thursday at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark, this province.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senator Vicente Sotto, Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte were among that more than 2,000 guests  who partook in this first ever food festival that showcases the best “lutong bahay” specialties of the province’s 19 municipalities and two cities.

The two-day food festival, which aims to promote the Kapampangan culinary heritage, is part of the weeklong celebration of the 446th Aldo Ning Kapampangan (Pampanga Day).

The President, in his speech, described the Pampanguenos as the best when it comes to food.“A lot of your recipes are delicious maybe because of the influence of Americans, Spaniards and the native talents of the Pampanguenos,” the Chief Executive said.

Led by acclaimed chef Sau del Rosario, the members of the Culinaria Pampanga presented to the President and other government officials the  native and best dishes that gave the Pampanga the distinction of being the Culinary Capital of the Philippines.

“To the President, let us feed you with our love, pride, glory and culture through Kapampangan foods. It takes pride of presenting our culture. As I always say culture is best serve in a platter,” del Rosario said.

Among the main course dishes presented to the guests are the pork belly bringhe, kilayin, maya-maya mayonesa, chicken galantine, Camaro taco, relyenong batute, asadong dila and kaldaretang kambing.

Other Kapampangan’s signature dishes, namely pako salad, buro at hito fillet, tamales and the famous sigsig were also offered that gave satisfaction to the guests’ cravings.

For the sweet tooth lovers, there are also bibingka, puto bumbong, duman kalame, mocha, tibok-tibok, ensaymada, sampelot, lelot mais and tsokalate batirol.
“It is our great honor to be part of this momentous event which is in line with our vision to establish Pampanga, further as a Culinary Capital of the Philippines, through festival,” del Rosario said.

Aside from the food offerings, there are also exhibitors, namely Susie’s Cuisine, Carreon’s Delicacy; Delyn’s Delicacy, My Lola Nor’s and Taldawa Kambingan that are present in the food festival organized by the provincial government of Pampanga and Culinaria Pampanga.