The town of Villasis, Pangasinan celebrated its annual Talong Festival with a grand cooking showcase that featured unique versions of the iconic "Pinakbet sa Kawa."
Each barangay in Villasis brought its own twist to the traditional Pinakbet. Participants used freshly harvested ingredients like tomatoes, ampalaya, okra, chili, and their signature crop: eggplants.
Barangay Poblacion Zone 1 kept their Pinakbet authentic with a broth-heavy presentation.
“’Yung original na pinakbet talaga may sabaw para hindi bitin,” Butch Sison, a resident, said.
Meanwhile, Barangay Poblacion Zone 2 elevated their dish with bagnet, adding a crispy touch.
“Pasarapan na lang talaga ng timpla,” Christopher Chan, another resident, added.
Each giant kawa, or wok, was filled with 10 kilograms each of tomatoes, ampalaya, okra, and chili, along with 30 kilograms of eggplant.
After an hour of cooking, the dishes were ready to be served and judged.
The festival not only celebrated the town's rich agricultural produce but also demonstrated the local government's continued support for farmers.
The Talong Festival showcases Villasis’ pride as the "Vegetable Bowl of Pangasinan," offering a flavorful testament to the town’s agricultural success and community spirit.