“HOMETOWN food comes from the culture, from the economy, from the resources and resourcefulness of the place and people. Silay food will bear this out.” This was said by my good friend, the late Prof. Doreen Gamboa-Fernandez (a Silaynon).
This is the seventh Kaon Ta Festival on its fourth year according to Massah Gamboa, the marketing lady of the event. It will happen on November 2 and 3 (Saturday and Sunday) at Balay Negrense Grounds in Silay. This is one of the highlights of Cinco de Noviembre 1898 Revolution Celebration.
“Kaon Ta” is organized by Balay Negrense Development Corporation with the Mayor’s Office and Silay Tourism Center. The “kinaon” features the heritage dishes coming from Emma Lacson, El Ideal Bakery, Tita Isa’s, Sinda Belleza, Mariel’s Bakery, Sir and Ma’am, SONFAPA, Luguay Gamboa Family, Julian’s Ice Cream, Monsignor Gaston’s signature dishes, German Unson and many more.
Guests who have confirmed to come are Gov. Bong Lacson, Vice Mayor Ledesma and the Silay City councilors. All local officials in Negros, those from academe, tourism sector, business group, religious organizations and local government units have been invited to share the taste of Silay.
Other than heritage dishes, street food, popular delicacies, sea aliment and new comestibles, newfangled participants will also take part such as fresh Start sugar cane juice, vegetables from outstanding farmers of Patag, wild coffee and fruits in season from Lantawan agronomists.
John Kimwell Laluma, a resource person from Fujifilm Philippines, will give a talk on architecture photography. He will ask the participants to walk around Silay and take pictures of the heritage houses for competition. Winning pictures will receive prizes from Fuji.
Reena Gamboa of Silay Export, Inc. will handle a session on handicraft printmaking. Gamboa manages also the historic Aguinaldo Gamboa Mansion (Bed and Breakfast). Gen. Douglas McArthur stayed in the said house when he supervised the Battle of Patag during World War II.
Various parlor games of local colors will be played and the Kabataang Silay Rondalla and dancers will provide the cultural entertainment. There will be sugarcane peeling and munching, cooking demonstrations of six different Silay “kalan-onon”, heirloom dishes to be cooked by the Lin-ay beauty queen of 2019.Two bands will provide delicious music every night: Java Loca (Nov. 2) and Senti Acoustic (Nov. 3).
Mayor Mark Golez welcomes Silaynons and Negrosanons to share the gustatory delights.