CABAGAN, Isabela -- Some 1,000 residents here were treated to a gigantic serving of “Pansi Cabagan” as part of the launch of the week-long Pansi Festival on Wednesday.
Government officials led the opening of the festivity, held annually as a tribute to this town’s thriving native noodle industry and the farmers’ bountiful harvest.
Mayor Christopher Mamauag told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) the local rice noodle dish called “Pansi” (an Ibanag term for pansit) has been forever etched in the history and culture of the villagers.
“This is a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvests of the farmers and for the ubiquitous pansit Cabagan that is synonymous with the town’s culture and heritage,” he said.
Local officials cooked “Pansi Cabagan” as a “recognition of the noodle industry, as well as the farming occupation in the town,” Mamuag said.
Some 78 kg of “miki” or rice noodles, 80 kg. of pork, 200 quail eggs, and 30 kg. of vegetables went into the prepared “Pansi Cabagan” served in a gigantic bilao (native woven tray or basket) and eaten at lunchtime by some 1,000 people.
Farmers, fishers and calesa (horse-drawn buggy) drivers were also feted through the Kalesa, Kutseru, Kabayu (KKK) competition and inter-barangay calesa painting contest.
Other events lined up for the Pansi Festival are a sports competition, Senior Citizens-SK-Balikbayan-OFW Night, beauty pageant, and street dance, among others. (PNA)
