Balbalan, Kalinga celebrates 2nd “Binungol” Festival; Mayor Malannag calls for preservation of food culture

Balbalan, Kalinga – Binungol, being part of the Balbalan heritage, should be cooked and prepared the traditional way to preserve the practice started by the town’s ancestors, urged Mayor Almar Malannag during the 2nd Binungol Festival in the municipality.  

Binungol/binungor/finungol is a signature spicy and savory dish in Kalinga whose ingredients include ‘agurong’ or fresh water mollusk mixed with bamboo shoots, local mushrooms, and bird’s eye chili among others. 

Long before said dish became popular in the entire Province of Kalinga, past generations in Balbalan, particularly in Salegseg, had been preparing them as food for the family and guests. This is why Balbalan institutionalized the commemoration of the Binungol Festival in 2023.

During this year’s celebration held last October 29, Mayor Malannag explained that the past generations were very particular with the ingredients they used as they had to make sure their binungol would last for at least a week.

“One week nga sidaen da isu nga dagiay maikabil ket dagiay vegetables wennu makan nga haan nga nalaka maperdi. Isu nga nu agaramid tayo iti binungor ket dapat dagiay binungor nga talaga nga nainsigudan nga ar-aramiden dagiay forefathers tayo,” he said, explaining that modifying the traditional ingredients would not make the dish last for a week as it should be.

The mayor pointed out that honoring the heritage does not only limit to celebrating it as a festival, but it also extends to preserving the way the ancestors prepared the dish.

“Diay inyunan dagiay inmuna kadakami nga taga Balbalan lalo dagitoy Salegseg tribe, haan nga malipatan dagiay inaramid da idi. Kayat mi nga ipakita kadagiay u-ubbing nga iti panagluto iti binungo ket nainsigudan nga ugali iti taga Balbalan nga nu adda bisita da, isu iti dish nga kaykayat da nga i-serve,” he expressed.

Among the activities held during this 2024 Binungol Festival include binungol cooking competition and contested activities on indigenous practices in Balbalan.