By Hilda Austria
CALASIAO, Pangasinan, Dec. 10 (PNA) — Cartoon characters, snowman, diorama of St. Peter and Paul’s Parish, wedding cake and a Christmas tree, all made from the famous ‘puro ’ (ricecake) were showcased during the opening of the weeklong “Puto Festival”‘here Wednesday.
The activity marked as ‘Puto Day’ showcased construction and design by different artists using “puto” as motiff, to the delight of tourists visiting this “puto” producing town.The competing puto construction and design pieces will be on display at the Robinson’s Mall here until December 15.
Aside from the construction and design, women’s group, education sector and two culinary schools here competed in the ‘Best ways to serve Puto’ alongside the Puto-Eating Contest.
Contestants prepared different dishes such as Puto Pizza Con Bangus Delight, Puto con Quezo Empanada, La Putofu dela Sisig, Puto Cake, Puto Pao, Puto Con Siomai; to deserts like Puto Fruit Salad, Crema de Puto and Puto Con Graham.
“We don’t invite contestants for the eating contest; contestants were the spectators as well”, said Abila.
Furthermore, a Comedy Night is also slated as a tribute to the vendors and producers of the town, giving them time to relax and unwind.
Meanwhile, puto producers and vendors and their families will show their respective talents in the Producers/Vendors Got Talent contest on December 11.
In recognition to the contributions of the farmers to the growing puto making industry in the town, a Farmer’s Day will also be held on December 12.
“We acknowledge that without the farmers there will be no rice cake as the main and essential ingredient of our puto is rice”, said Abila.
On December 13, a job fair will be conducted in the Municipal building which is open to Calasiao residents and people from nearby towns.
“This is our way of celebrating and promoting our already well-known Puto Calasiao”, said Abila.
The town has more than 30 stalls of Puto excluding producers and vendors who are marketing their products outside the town.
The other activities lined up during the Puto Festival are: Little Ms. Puto Fest, Air- Gun Shoot Fest, Angling Competition, Taekwondo Competition and the Feeling Pogi 2014. (PNA)