CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is expected to grace this year’s Capampangan Food Festival, which will showcase the province’s premiere native foods during the weeklong celebration of 446th Aldo Ning Kapampangan (Pampanga Day).
Pampanga Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda said that she personally invited Duterte to attend the significant occasion but added a formal invite has yet to be sent to Malacanang.
“We are optimistic that he can join us in this momentous event as we will be showcasing our best authentic and native delicacies, which is sure to attract the taste of our visitors/tourists,’’ the governor said.
Nineteen municipalities and two cities will exhibit their best ‘’lutong barrio’’ foods during the festival slated on December 7 at Fontana, Clark Freeport, as part of the Pampanga day anniversary weeklong celebration.
According to Pineda, she obliged all local executives in the province to prepare or bring their special delicacies to be presented during the annual food fest, which is expected to gather around 2000 visitors not only from Central Luzon but also from Visayas and Mindanao.
“We are inviting local executives even in the Visayas and Mindanao to come and taste the Kapampangan dishes and experience this unique way of celebrating Aldo Ning Kapampangan,’’ she said.
Aside from native foods, the best festival dances from the province’s 21 municipalities and cities will also be showcased through a street dance presentation by each participant.
The celebration will culminate with the coronation of Mutya Ning Kapampangan on December 10 and the awarding of the Most Outstanding Kapampangan on December 11.
Historical records stated that Pampanga is one of the richest provinces in the country that was re-organized as a province by the Spaniards on December 11, 1571.
It was named after the Indung Kapampangan River, the largest river in the former empire. Ancient Pampanga’s territorial area used to include portions of big island of Luzon in the Philippine Archipelago, which include the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Zambales.