STA. RITA -- It is all set for this year's 13th Duman Festival supposedly set last December 6 which was later cancelled due to Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) as organizers of the event said it would push through this Saturday, December 20 at the Santa Rita Eco-park.
Andy Alviz and his group Arti.StaRita started the festival in 2002, which originated from the long standing tradition of pounding and winnowing unripe glutinous rice (lacatan) and turning it into a light pale gold or green delicacy called "duman." The festival features alfresco dining were rows and rows of delicacy stalls would sell various pastries and native dishes of the town, with duman being the major highlight.
The food sold during the festival would include native pastry attractions of the town like sansrival, masa podridu, mamon and mamon tostado.
Alviz said the event will feature a cultural performance from the musical group ArtiSta.Rita.
“The festival always aims to offer native delicacies and dishes of the town to the people of Pampanga and to inspire awareness on Kapampangan culinary traditions among the younger generation and among those who have lived outside of the province for so long,” Alviz said.
The program for the event is expected to start at 5 p.m.
The event is open to food enthusiasts and tourists who would like to sample native Kapampangan cooking and delicacies.
Different grades of duman, the star of the festival celebration, will also be sold in the event. Traditionally regarded as a Christmas delicacy, duman is eaten with hot chocolate or milk as additive or accompanying drink.