‘Daytoy Binungol Festival… ti origin na… datayo nga iBalbalan,’ – VM Munda Cruz during the 3rd Binungol Festival

Salegseg, Balbalan – While other Kalinga tribes have their own versions of the Binungol Festival, Balbalan Vice Mayor Regina D. Munda Cruz emphasized that Balbalan remains the birthplace of the celebration — a cultural heritage that rightfully belongs to its people.

Institutionalized in 2023, the festival was named Binungol after the renowned Kalinga delicacy — a traditional dish made from a flavorful blend of agurong and bissukol (stir-fried water shells), rabong (bamboo shoots), local mushrooms, and chili peppers — all believed to have originated in the town.

Vice Mayor Munda Cruz made the statement during the 3rd Binungol Festival celebration on October 29 at the Municipal Compound in Poblacion, noting that the same festival was recently celebrated in Bulanao. In response, the Municipal Council of Culture and Arts (MCCA) of Balbalan passed a resolution affirming Balbalan as the rightful origin of the festival.

“Recently, nag-celebrate da ti Binugor Festival idiay Bulanao di last March and because of that, the MCCA of Balbalan ket nagaramid ti resolution babaen diay Resolution No. 156, Series of 2025 nga mangigaretget nga daytoy Binungol Festival ket ditoy Balbalan ti origin na. Awan sabali nga makin bagi nu saan nga datayo nga iBalbalan,” she said.

Cruz added that the resolution has been submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), affirming Balbalan’s ownership of the festival and urging residents to celebrate it with pride. She emphasized that preserving the Binungol Festival is part of honoring their ancestors and protecting their cultural heritage.

“Ket nu kasanu tayo nga i-preserve dayta nga binugol tapnu haan nga mabangles ken maperdi, ket kasta met kuma ti gagar tayo nga mang-protektar, mang-preserve ken mangipasa amin dagitoy nga cultural heritage tayo — amin nga naala tayo nga impasa dagiti manakom (ancestors) tayo ket ipasa tayo met ken dagitoy sumaruno nga henerasyon,” she added.

As a representative of the legislative body, Cruz also reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the people of Balbalan in protecting their rights, preserving their culture, and crafting laws that safeguard their heritage.

“Kas representative of our legislative body, adda kami lang nga katulungan yo tapnu mang-protect ti karbengan tayo nga kas iBalbalan, mangi-preserve ti kultura tayo — ken nu inya man ti mabalin mi nga aramiden nga mangi-enact ti linteg ken dadduma pay,” she said.