More than 700 trays of native rice cakes, or kankanen, were shared—and quickly devoured—during the town’s Kankanen Festival on Saturday, April 26. In less than 30 minutes, visitors and residents polished off a colorful spread of local favorites like biko, suman, tupig, palitaw, latik, puto, and bitso-bitso.
Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. said the event brought together all 21 barangays, 27 schools, and 10 civic organizations to prepare the massive feast. “Everyone was excited to taste the different kankanen,” he said, noting the addition of tupig this year, upon request from residents. The delicacy is a specialty of barangays Dupoc, Baro, and Domampot.
Last year, the town showcased over 500 trays. This time, the number jumped significantly—reflecting not just excitement, but pride in a tradition that supports local livelihoods.
More Than a Festival—It’s a Livelihood
Lopez emphasized that the event isn’t just about celebration. It’s also about recognizing the small-scale producers and families who depend on kankanen as a source of income. “This is our way of saying thank you to the people behind these delicacies,” he said.
To support them, the municipal government distributed two liters of fresh carabao’s milk to each participant. “The taste really stands out when you use fresh milk,” Lopez added.
The milk came from the Bantog Samahang Nayon Cooperative, which manages over 380 carabaos.
Keeping the Flavor Alive Year-Round
Asingan has also set aside a section of its public market as a permanent space for kankanen and baked goods, making it easier for tourists and locals to enjoy these treats beyond the festival.
The Kankanen Festival began in 2011 and was adopted by the local government in 2019. After a brief pause during the pandemic, it returned in 2022—and continues to grow.
