Binalonan farmers on February 17 had their day of celebration during the Rambak iti Mannalon held at the Binalonan Municipal Grounds.

Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., together with some of the municipal councilors, started the celebration by leading the boodle fight where rice cakes, boiled camotes and bananas, and different fruits were served.

In his speech, Mayor Guico encouraged the audience to eat vegetables. He said, “Agsida kayo ti natnateng tapno umatiddag ti biyag yo. Madi no kanayon nga karne.”

Adorned carabaos representing the barangays were paraded and winners were chosen. Ten thousand pesos was awarded to the first place; 8 thousand for the second place; and 6 thousand for the third place. Three thousand was given as consolation prize to the non-winners.

In the Pinaka-contest, biggest squash, tomato, papaya and longest patola, and string beans were chosen.

Another part of the event was the Cookfest which tested the culinary expertise of the participants who were asked to cook any recipe using the ingredients they availed of from the ingredients provided by the management.

Prizes were awarded to the winners.

The celebration was highlighted by the search for Mutya ng Kabukiran 2020 participated in by wives of the farmers.

On the site, were booths of the different barangays bedecked with agricultural products such as fresh fruits and vegetables, corn, peanuts, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, papaya, rice cakes and others for sale. Best booth was awarded.

Syngenta Philippines, AgriAx, East-West Seed Company and other agricultural firms also put up their booths.

Municipal Agriculturist Ricardo Tabuac chaired the Rambak ti Mannalon, while Municipal Accountant Lorna Carissa Orpilla, and  University of Eastern Pangasinan President Evelyn Abalos-Tomboc chaired the Cookfest.