PORAC, Pampanga—Local and international tourists are expected to grace this town’s 10th Binulu Festival today. November 16. The Aytas in five villages here are the festival’s center of attractions, highlighting the cooking of food and rice with the use of a variety of bamboo called bulu.
Mayor Carling de la Cruz, Vice Mayor Dexter David and his sister, former Pampanga Board Member Fritzie David Dizon, will lead the festival to commemorate the 421st founding anniversary of this town and to honor the town’s patron saint, Catherine of Alexandria.
Councilor Mark Anthony Valencia, chairman of the committee on tourism, said the festival “highlights the Aytas’ cooking of rice and viands, such as fish, pork, chicken and other seafoods stuffed and cook together using bamboo.” The festival will start at around 3 p.m. at the municipal hall, followed by various events at the nearby Jose Songco Lapid Sports Gym. He said the municipality allotted P2 million for the festival, which started in 2005.
“It’s a monthlong celebration. It’s bigger, and the mayor made sure that all sectors will join and benefit from the festival,” said Valencia, who was joined by Councilor Ronie Mercado in a recent news conference at the Widus Hotel here. There was a jobs fair held on November 10 and special days for the youth, farmers and the elderly.
The Mutya ning Porac coronation night and 4×4 off-road championship will be held on November 21.
There will be a street-dancing on Monday joined by Aytas and locals wearing colorful and traditional costumes. Others expected to join the event are councilors Maynard Lapid, Rudy Enriquez, Hilario Dimalanta and Michelle Bengco, and former Councilor Ludivico Muli.