KANKANEN FESTIVAL
researched by: Troy Alexander Gozum Miano
The Municipality of Cabatuan, Isabela, known as the Land of the Golden Grain, is the home of the unique Kankanen
Festival. The annual occasion is a showcase of various native cakes and pastries made from sweet rice (“malagkit” or
“dikit” in the local vernacular). The festival aims to increase the cultural heritage of Cabatuan especially in the
culinary preparation of native delicacies.
The pioneering ilocanos from Laoag and Bacarra in Ilocos Norte province migrated in 1912 bringing with them their
families and livestock. The settlers stayed in the locality in the southern Isabela near the banks of the mighty Magat
River where they also brought their culture and tradition, their way of life, arts, clothing and cooking. The locality
prospered to be known as Cabatuan, one of the seat of Ilocano heritage in Cagayan Valley. The ingenious Ilocanos is
blessed with the talent of cooking more especially the art of making cakes and pastries using rice flour from dikit.
The kankanen, the native term for this native delicacy, is usually a prime dish or food served on special occasions such
as after-birth rites, birthdays, baptisms, after-burial rites, patronal and town fiestas, thanksgivings, celebration for the
arrival of prominent guests or balikbayans and other social and religious icons and symbols as a token of honor and
thanksgiving. The preparation and serving of kankanen is a ritual and a symbol of Ilocano culture and tradition.
The idea of having a festival original to Cabatuan was first conceptualized by Isabela Cultural and Historical Council
officers Dr. Constante B. Andres and Mr. Troy Alexander G. Miano with the proposal of calling it Moriecos
Festival. However, it was Mayor Alma A. Dayrit and the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) officers and members, led
by Mrs. Visitacion F. Caridad (Festival chair 2003 & 2004), Mrs. Marcelina C. Laurado (RIC Federation President),
Mrs. Ernesta S. Borromeo and the club presidents of the 22 barangays and 2 sitios, who initiated the first ever contest
and named it Kankanen Festival. Mayor Dayrit and the RIC visions to promote tourism and to upgrade the fading
traditional Ilocano culinary expertise of the young Cabatuanenses with the institutionalization of the festival.
The famous kankanen of Cabatuan are: moriecos, bibingkang kanin, suman, tupig, palitaw, ginataang munggo,
ginataang mais, patupat, linapit, baduya, padarusdus, pilaez, busi, dila-dila, pinikkel, inkiwar, dudul (corn base),
binallay and pinablad.
During the 54th Foundation Anniversary Celebration, the Kankanen Festival was launched by Mayor Alma A. Dayrit
with the fiesta directorship of Isabela Electric Company (ISELCO-I) Director Franklin P. Macugay. There were 19
entries on the ever-first food exhibit on November 4, 2003 at the Cabatuan Social Grounds. Heading the ceremonial
ribbon-cutting to the Kankanen Festival Booth was: Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Blesida G.
Diwa. The following were awarded winners: Mascot – RIC Sampaloc; Largest – RIC Diamantina; Palatable – RIC
Culing West; Unique – RIC Del Pilar; Saleable – RIC Calaocan; Delicious – RIC Culing West; Marketing Booth –
RIC Paraiso; Lay-out Kankanen – RIC Nueva Era and special participation award: Cabatuan East District. The Board
of Judges were: Director Diwa, Mrs. Luzviminda D. Torres (From main office ISELCO) and Mrs. Rita A. Dulay
(Branch Manager Cabatuan ISELCO)
With the objective of continuing the young tradition, Mayor Atanasio T. Dayrit, Jr. spearheaded the 2 nd Kankanen
Festival on November 5, 2004 during the 55th Foundation Day rites with Sangguniang Bayan Member Cid A. Dayrit
as director-general. This time, the RIC focused on the moriecos, the kankanen original to Cabatuan. The top six
winners, among the 21 entries were: RIC Canan, RIC Paraiso, RIC Saranay, RIC Macalaoat, RIC Culing Centro, RIC
Sitio Malasin and RIC Culing West. The longest moriecos was won by RIC Paraiso. The criteria for judging were as
follows: Nutritive Content (30%), Texture and Appearance (20%), Flavor/Palatability (20%), Presentation Relevance
to Theme (10%), Cost/Price (10%) and Originality/Ingenuity (10%)
Kankanen Festival is now a part of the Foundation Day rites of Cabatuan and has become the prestige of the RIC and
the common Cabatuanenses.
