MABALACAT CITY -- A giant native cake served at a shopping mall in Tarlac City served 2,000 shoppers over the weekend.

SM City Tarlac served the 108-kilo native cake during the “Tarlac Food and Adventure BESTival” on October 19.

The “bestival” featured the best food and adventure in the province as part of SM Supermalls “Best of North Luzon” project.

The project is a region-wide festivity conducted at SM City Tarlac, SM City Olongapo Central, and SM City Olongapo Downtown from October 14 to 20.

SM City Tarlac has partnered with Betty’s Special Native Cakes, popularly known as Betty’s, to make the giant native cake.

Jean Junio, owner of Betty’s, said they spent eight hours in order to prepare and cook the native kakainin.

The Galley Academy of Experts, Inc. (GAEI), famous culinary school in Tarlac, prepared the ube topping for the SM logo design of the native cake.

GAEI chef King Paul Gabertan said it took them about six hours to properly arrange the ube toppings.

Kapit was used for the native cake’s white background.

A total of 16 people prepared the giant cake.

During the event, the Special Program in the Arts Dance Troupe of Tarlac National High School performed folk dances including subli and sayaw sa bangko.

Meanwhile, the ceremonial toast was led by Emerson Sicangco, chairman of the City Tourism Council; Michelle Charlene Chua, assistant mall manager of SM City Tarlac; Cherry Lou Manarang, North 3 Group marketing manager; and Chef Gabertan.