BY: JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR
Are you ready for another unique food experience?
Various dishes cooked in bamboo are perfect for this event!
Like kinamellan, a mix of fish from the river, dinengdeng, rice, and more!
This is called “Pagtitinungbo,” the highlight of the Tinungbo Festival in Pugo, La Union!
But before the cooking session, participants had to start the fire using bamboo or by rubbing them together.
Tourist Pietro from Germany and his fiancé were amazed by the sight.
“Nice, I come here for the food,” said Pietro Denti, a tourist.
“For me, I always come here in Pugo. I’m from your neighboring barangay. I decided to come here for my fiancée,” said Lydia Dictaran, also a tourist.
Even Ms. Rhen and Ms. Bea joined the fun.
The participants were given two hours to cook four dishes, including Tinungbo Kinamellan, Tinungbo Dinengdeng, Tinungbo Rice, and Tinungbo Specialty.
This year, the 16 participants leveled up their dishes.
Pia, one of the participants, stated, “It’s very important for us here in Pugo to express our skills through our school.”
Cooking with bamboo also symbolizes the strong relationships of the people of Pugo.
Emeelyn Layaban-Takio, Municipal Information Officer and Tourism Officer, expressed, “Unity, we show resourcefulness in this event.”
It’s a tradition they want to protect and pass on to future generations.
In the end, Barangay Cares All Star was crowned the champion in the Best Rice category, showcasing red rice from Cordillera.
The Best in Kinamellan award went to Barangay Cuenca.
Barangay San Luis won Best in Dinengdeng.
Barangay Ambangonan claimed Best in Specialty Dish.
And Barangay Palina was crowned Overall Champion.
“This is one of the highlights of the festival. It shows how resourceful we are and how we can deliver quality food,” said Mayor Kurt Walter Martin.
In the end, the residents and visitors shared the dishes made with love and unity.
Everyone is invited to join the upcoming activities for the Tinungbo Festival 2024, which will last until January of next year.
