TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Visitors made their way to Barangay Nambucayan on May 26 to witness and celebrate the Binalengbeng kan Kapi festival. As they enjoy what the festival has to offer, little is known about how the festival name came into being.
Barangay Secretary Mark Cutaran explained the origin of the name Binalengneng and Kape. He narrated how the binalengbeng is prepared. First soak “nabayo un dekot” (powdered glutinous rice) in water for an hour to make it soft. When it softens, they put the mixture on ‘akiyak’ to sift the same till it turns into a fine powder, which is called the ‘tinampok’. Then the powder is mixed with coconut milk and balled. It is then flattened and deep-fried in oil until it becomes crispy and golden brown. The Nambucayan people refer to the cooked product as “binalenbeng.”
This native rice delicacy is often partnered with coffee served on all occasions, a sign of hospitality, happiness and respect the people of Nambucayan have for their visitors.
Binalengbeng kan kapi is an old tradition that has been passed down from generations. To preserve this tradition, the barangay council of Nambucayan headed by Brgy. Chairman Ruben Ambasing adopted Binalengbeng kan Kapi as the official name of the festival, which is now on its second year of celebration.
The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Timpuyog ken panagkaykaysa, inted na progreso ken gin-awa’.
During the opening day of the celebration, City Mayor Darwin Estrañero, who served as the guest of honor, highlighted in his festival message how festivals unite community people and bring out their creativity.
He also mentioned some infrastructure projects he promised to give to the barangay foremost the completion of the barangay hall, barangay gymnasium, and the construction of a bridge connecting sitios Tagul-an and Pao which he initially presented to the Department of Agrarian Reform.
Vice Governor Jocel Baac also shared his message to the people of Nambucayan congratulating them for an impressive festival celebration.
The festival continues till May 27 with sports competitions, a beauty pageant and cultural presentations.
