‘Talaga nga adayo ngem immayak latta. This occasion taught me… we will always come back home’ – Ret. BGen Baluyan during Balbalan’s 3rd Binungol Festival

Salegseg, Balbalan – Retired Brigadier General Noel T. Baluyan joined fellow iBalbalans in the vibrant celebration of the 3rd Binungol Festival on October 29, 2025, held at the Municipal Hall in Salegseg, where he expressed admiration for the crowd of his kakailyans and the warm reception from the community.

The Binungol Festival is an annual celebration in Balbalan that honors the authentic local delicacy binungol—a traditional dish made with a flavorful blend of agurong and bissukol (stir-fried water shells), rabong (bamboo shoots), local mushrooms, and chili peppers—showcasing the culinary heritage and cultural pride of the municipality.

Speaking before an audience of youth, elders, and visitors, Baluyan, now serving as Assistant Vice President for Operations at Centro Escolar University in Manila, expressed deep gratitude for his Balbalan roots, saying he made the trip despite the distance and long travel.

“Balbalan is not just another place on the map—it is my home. Talaga nga adayo, ngem asideg kayo ditoy pusok ken nakem ko, isu nga immayak latta nga makipag-danggay kadakayo amin—just to attend this very important affair of my kakailyans. This occasion taught me… we will always come back home,” he said.

He also shared how inspired he was by the festive atmosphere, the traditional pattongs (gongs), and the enthusiasm of the locals, which he said reflected the community’s strong unity and cultural pride.

“When I saw the crowd, the welcoming pattongs, and all of you—I was truly inspired by your patience, joy, and unity as my kakailyans. I can see the solidarity of everyone here, and that’s one way of showing your support to the local government of this municipality,” he added.

The retired brigadier general’s presence brought a notable sense of honor to the annual event, which continues to highlight the rich traditions and communal spirit of Balbalan.

Baluyan emphasized that the Binungol Festival celebrates the iBalbalans’ heritage, traditions, and shared values—honoring the past while inspiring the future—and that Balbalan will always be more than just a place; it will always be home.

“Daytoy nga pyesta ket saan laeng nga panawen ti pangaramba; daytoy ket panawen ti panagsarming – maysa a palagip iti nagtaudan tayo, kadagiti pateg ken tawid dagiti nagtauna a nagted ti kasi-asino tayo ken dagiti arapaap nga masapol a sapulen tayo iti masakbayan. This is not just a place for me, but also my home,” he said.

Baluyan also recognized the youth as Balbalan’s strength, encouraging them to pursue education while remaining grounded in their identity and values, and learning from their elders. He likewise commended Mayor Almar Malannag’s leadership, which, he noted, has helped the municipality move toward becoming a first-class town.

With the theme “Ating Pandayin ang Kinabukasan, Gabay ang Katutubong Karunungan at Karapatan,” the festival served as a unifying event, inspiring the community to forge a future guided by the wisdom and rights passed down by their forefathers.