A CELEBRATION OF TRADITION, TALENT, AND IDENTITY
BIÑAN CITY —A city located south of Metro Manila, its vibrant tempo becomes even more palpable as it kicks off the Puto Latik Festival on May 15 each year. The much anticipated gathering is a celebration of its people, talents, and cultural richness of its 24 barangays.
City of Biñan Tourism and Cultural A airs O cer BJ Borja told Businessmirror that the festival, which involves all 24 barangays, re ects the Biñan logo with ripe stalks consisting of 24 golden grains symbolizing its identity as an agricultural town. Borja emphasized the need to strengthen the diverse o erings of each barangay to fully realize the city's rich identity in the festival.
The Puto Latik Festival, now on its 14th year, solely focuses on celebrating the city's two most iconic cultural products: Puto Biñan, a local rice cake made from rice our, coconut milk, sugar, and topped with cheese or salted eggs.
The festival likewise features the traditional Filipino folk dance, "Maglalatik," which symbolizes a mock ght between Moros (Muslims) and Christians over the coveted coconut meat. Dancers don coconut shells on their chests, backs, thighs, and hips, which the dancers tap to create rhythmic sounds as they perform.
Despite the challenges of modernization, the City of Biñan remains committed to preserving and empowering its cultural identity.
In accordance with the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article 14, Sections 14 to 15 emphasized the government's duty to support the development and preservation of Filipino culture, promoting unity amidst diversity and encouraging artistic and intellectual freedom. Additionally, the State is mandated to protect and promote the nation's historical and cultural heritage, as well as artistic works.
"We live up to that enshrinement in our Constitution. It's supreme that you really value your culture,” Biñan City Mayor Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr. told the Business Mirror.
Throughout the years, despite the growth and prosperity of the city, Dimaguila said that it's not just about getting richer and progressing continually but also about a town knowing its identity.
“You have to nd what’s really iconic in your town, of course, one of the things we're proud of, when you say a town is prosperous, who are you proud of? People, because human resources are there, that's where talent and diligence come from,” he said.
In historical context, Borja highlighted that all these aspects collectively de ne Biñan as an agricultural community with truly hardworking members and with the majority engaged in farming. He observed a tangible impact wherein due to the abundance of farmers in Biñan, many people are provided with food.
He elaborated that they have no product that isn't made from rice—from rice cakes to rice-based snacks, everything else originates from rice, truly stemming from the land.
"We will return to our roots of being agricultural," he emphasized.
The Land Float Parade
Aside from commemorating its people and cultural wealth, the city of Biñan also showcased the distinct o erings of each barangay through creatively designed land oat parades, reportedly meticulously prepared by the delegates.
When asked how they managed to encourage all 24 barangays to participate in this activity, Borja stated that they didn't force anyone to join, but rather it's an unwritten obligation for them to participate because they are proud to promote what their barangay has to o er.
Some oats showcased local products such as the traditional sombrero (hat) and sapatos (shoes) that are made from indigenous materials such as abaca bers or nipa palm leaves. These materials are known for their durability and suitability for the local climate.
While some barangays' oats featured various industrial sites, historical landmarks, tourist attractions, and even emerging resorts within their jurisdiction that contribute to their economic advancement, these sites provide livelihoods and job opportunities for the residents, further boosting their progress.
In a clarification, Borja explained that the Biñan City government hasn't extended any financial or technical aid as the event remains a competition.
"Come and Experience Biñan, the City of Life!" This year's theme, "Come and Experience Biñan, the City of Life, challenges each participating barangay to unleash their creativity. The local government provides a platform to support their presentations and promote their respective areas.
According to Vice Mayor Angelo “Gel” Alonte, the barangays and the city government are putting their funds to good use with this festival. The yearly festival, he said, is a good venue for residents to express pride in their city and hometowns. He also stressed the government's role in creating spaces to that instill a sense of community amongst the residents.
Borja added, "I always tell everyone in all towns, you need to nd the soul of the festival. If you don't nd the soul of the festival, expect that festival to be dead in two or three years.”
Honoring tradition and preserving it is an important aspect of the festival, said Borja. He said that if the festival in a particular town is altered due to a new leader taking o ce, one can anticipate public outcry because they have developed love and a sense of ownership for the festival.
‘Tourism as a By-product of Culture, Not a Separate Entity’
Meanwhile, Borja further emphasized that tourism is merely a by-product of culture, merely an output: “It's not a separate entity; you cannot engage in tourism without having tourism products, and these tourism products are not just food or souvenirs—they encompass culture, history, and arts,” he said.
He added that understanding one's culture, history, and arts lets a city engage in tourism further because they already have a clear product to promote.
He emphasized that one cannot sustain a festival if it is not anchored on the very essence of its celebration. Therefore, in every program for the Puto Latik Festival in Biñan, Borja stated that they truly incorporated the meaning of their tradition into the mechanics, whether it's for the street dancing competition, dance and singing showdowns, the cook-o challenge, or pageant.
“They should portray the name of the festival in how they perform on stage and incorporate its avors into their performance and presentation,” he said.
Puto Latik Festival Reigns Supreme
In a remarkable feat, the Puto Latik Festival of the City of Biñan has been hailed as the best tourism event in the Philippines for three consecutive years, as reports BCHATO.
The festival's excellence has been acknowledged in various prestigious awards, including the "Best Tourism Event (Festival) Special Award" at the ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards 2018, followed by the "Best Tourism Event (Festival) 2nd Runner-up" in 2019 and the "Best Tourism Event (Festival) 1st Runner-up" in 2022, also bestowed by the ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards.
Biñan City has also garnered several other accolades in recognition of its commitment to tourism and cultural heritage. Among these honors are the titles of "Tourism-oriented LGU in the Province of Laguna 2018," awarded by the Provincial Government of BCHATO Laguna, and "Outstanding LGU in the Province of Laguna for Culture and Tourism 2022."
Furthermore, the city has been lauded for its exceptional programs in culture and the arts, earning the esteemed award "Best Program for Culture and the Arts" at the ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards in both 2022 and 2023, as well as the "Best Tourism-oriented LGU Award" in 2023.
Adding to its list of achievements, Biñan City was honored with the prestigious Galing Pook Award in 2022 for its exemplary "Balikbiñan Project: Tourism Development through Heritage Conservation," recognized among the Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs.