Mandaue passes on “bibingka” tradition to youth

CEBU, Philippines - The city government of Mandaue has found a way of passing on its tradition of “bibingka” making to the new generation.

Under the administration of Mayor Jonas Cortes the city government in coordination with the Department of Education, city schools division has institutionalized bibingka cooking contest among students of public schools.

As part of the week-long celebration of the city’s 44th charter day anniversary, the city’s tourism office in coordination with the Department of Education organized a cooking contest Tuesday at the Heritage Plaza.

This time there were three categories corresponding to the added flavours: bibingka with “kabog” or yellow-colored rice variety, bibingka with “buko,” and bibingka with egg. Students from Tipolo National High School won the contest for bibingka with buko.

Other winners, Don Gerardo Ouano National High School for bibingka with egg and Cabancalan National High School for bibingka with kabog. Each winner will receive P2,000. All participants received certificates of participation.

On the other hand, six public high schools also participated in the balloon designing contest wherein students from Mandaue City Science High School won with a prize of P2,000 followed by Subangdaku Technical Vocational High School with a prize of P1,500 and Casili National High School as third with P1,000 as prize.

“We are overjoyed since it is the first time that our students cook bibingka,” said Jhelyn Pitogo, coach and teacher of TLE (Technical Livelihood and Entrepreneurial) of the Cabancalan National High School.

Angel Mayol Reamparanza, 12, grade 7 student of Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School said her interest in bibingka-cooking started when she was four as she watched her mother cooking the delicacy. She belongs to the Mayol family, one of the pioneers in this delicacy.

The contestants from Paknaan National High School introduced a bibingka combo meal, P12 apiece, and a glass of mango juice, P25 for one piece plus one serve of bam-i and a glass of mango juice.

“This is an added value which means that bibingka is sold not only at the roadside but also in malls and other high places,” said Lovely Alcuizar, TLE teacher of the school.

The city was put in the world map when students and teachers of public schools cooked in 2011 the biggest bibingka the size of the basketball court of Mandaue Sports Complex. This was registered in the Guinness book of world records. (FREEMAN)