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Agoo

Culinary Heritage Festival Promotes Local Economic Development

ELYU Herald Staff 13 May 2026, 13:38

Agoo, La Union celebrates cultural identity through the 21st Dinengdeng Festival.

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According to the Philippine Information Agency and the Municipal Government of Agoo, the 21st Dinengdeng Festival held from April 30 to May 4 successfully utilized local culinary traditions to drive community development and tourism. The event brought together schools, government agencies, and private organizations to celebrate the Ilocano vegetable dish, which is prepared with fermented anchovy paste.

A central feature of the festival was the “101 Recipes Challenge” hosted at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University–South La Union Campus. During this event, 101 schools and local businesses presented diverse versions of the dish, ranging from traditional recipes featuring moringa and grilled fish to modern interpretations using local herbs.

The festival also included a Grand Civic and Float Parade that traveled through the main roads of Agoo. Participants included representatives from all 49 barangays, national government agencies, and various civic groups. The parade was followed by a street dancing competition that featured choreography and costumes inspired by local Ilocano culture.

Mayor Frank Sibuma stated that the event’s success was due to the collective effort of the community, despite financial limitations. He noted that the festival serves as a strategy to strengthen the town’s identity and increase its appeal to visitors.

By focusing on heritage preservation, the local government aims to use the festival as a tool for sustainable growth. The event highlights how traditional practices can be leveraged to foster cooperation among stakeholders and promote the town’s cultural assets.

SOURCE: PIA