First 'Binungol' Festival celebrated in Balbalan, Kalinga

Balbalan, Kalinga – Subtribes in Balbalan skilled in ‘binungol’ cooking and eating displayed their indigenous delicacies and practices as they marked the first-ever Binungol Festival of the town.

The celebration happened on Oct. 25 at the Municipal Hall Compound in Balbalan Proper.

Binungol is a known spicy and savory dish in Kalinga. It is composed of ‘agurong’ or fresh water mollusk mix with other ingredients like bamboo shoots, local mushrooms, and bird’s eye chili among others.

The native dish, having been originated in Balbalan, was adopted by the Local Government Unit headed by Mayor Almar Malannag into a festival which will be celebrated in the town annually.

The launching of the said fest this year was highlighted by various activities like the display and cooking of binungol by the different subtribes which attendees savored at lunch.

Contested activities

Other contested activities held during the festival include ‘manbayo’, ‘man-aba’, ‘mangibed/mangulili (man-apoy), and binungol eating.

Buaya subtribe got the first place in the manbayo activity, followed by Banao at second, and Dao-angan at third.

Dao-angan, on the other hand, won the man-aba contest which challenged participants to display the proper way of carrying a child while Banao subtribe secured the second place.

As for the mangibed/mangulili or the creation of fire without the use of match or lighter, Buaya got the first place; Banao, second; and Salegseg, third.

Lastly, for the binungol eating which tested the participants’ tolerance on spicy food, Poswoy subtribe came out victorious, followed by Salegseg and Banao.

With the success of the 1st Binungol Festival, Municipal Information Officer Regina Cruz conveyed her appreciation to the people who worked for the celebration and for those who came to Balbalan to celebrate with the municipality.

“Thank you po sa inyong lahat na tumulong and dumalo. We’re all part of the 1st Binungol Festival. We made history today,” she wrote.

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