BRYANRREALGO

ISABELA - On it's second year, Panagtutupig Festival is celebrated in Barangay Buneg in the town of Echague in this province.  The festival highlights the promotion of their main product "tupig" that according to their history was introduced by residents of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur who migrated to Buneg during World War II. Dominant families here are Sonio, Satre, Sumibcay and other "S" starting family name similar to most residents of Cabugao. Part of the festival is the "tupig" cooking contest. Different groups put a twist to the flavor of the classic tupig by adding chocolates, caramel, peanut butter and pandan.  The classic tupig is made of a mixture of glutinous rice (malagkit), sugar and grated coconuts.  It is cooked over charcoal and wrapped in banana leaves. Panagtutupig festival is celebrated during the last week of April.  Photo Courtesy: Lorenz Sibalon Cabalo

ILOCOS SUR – The few remaining “pasyon” readers in this province are alarmed that the tradition they inherit from older generations would no longer be heard during Lenten season.  Vicky Lucero, 59 and Agapita Llanes, 80 are two of the few remaining “pasyon” readers in the province. They are tandem in performing the leccio (term use by locals instead of pasyon), Vicky is the first voice and Agapita is the second voice.  They both learned performing the “pasyon” during their younger years. Now, they fear that they will not be able to pass on to the younger generation the tradition that became part of their devotion as well as too many Ilokano listeners.  “Sana may matuto na din talaga at seryosohin dahil matatanda na kame, ako ay 80 years old na, mahirap lalo’t hindi naman natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa buhay. Gusto ko din sana na bago man lang ako mawala may papalit na din sa akin para sa mga susunod na taon na kahit maging moderno naroro...