Cabanatuan City placed its iconic longganisa in the spotlight as it celebrated the Banatu Festival 2026, marking the city’s 76th founding anniversary.

The city government, through the City Livelihood and Cooperative Development Office (CLCDO), showcased Cabanatuan’s signature product at Plaza Lucero through activities such as the Cabanatuan Got Longganisa Boodle Fight, the Salo-Solane Longganisa Master Cooking Contest, and a trade fair held alongside the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program.

CLCDO Head Lucille Batalla said the initiatives were designed to strengthen the city’s longganisa branding, support local entrepreneurs, and encourage community participation during the festival.

A major highlight was the awarding of the CABSARAP Seal to eight longganisa producers in recognition of product quality, particularly in taste and cleanliness of production. Awardees included Nueva Cabanatuan Meat Products/Susan’s Fresh Meatshop, Otya-Lani Meat Store, Ofelia Montes Cabanatuan Longganisa, Cabanatuan’s Finest Longganisa, Connie T. Cerin’s Cabanatuan Longganisa, Union Meat Store, Aling Zening Valencia Cabanatuan’s Special Longganisa, and Emmie’s Meat Shop.

These vendors also participated in the trade fair together with the Golden Beans and Grains Producers Cooperative, which joined the Kadiwa ng Pangulo by selling affordable upland and lowland vegetables, as well as fish products.

Meanwhile, nine participants from local carinderias joined the Salo-Solane Longganisa Master Cooking Contest, organized in partnership with Solane Nueva Ecija, where contestants prepared creative dishes using longganisa as the main ingredient.

Solane sponsored prizes of ₱25,000 (champion), ₱15,000 (first runner-up), ₱10,000 (second runner-up), and ₱5,000 consolation prizes. The city government added ₱5,000 to each prize, bringing totals to ₱30,000, ₱20,000, ₱15,000, and ₱10,000, respectively.

The winners were Ulysses Sara of Godoy’s Canteenio (Champion), Mhark Manuel Mendoza of Empot Sizzling House (First Runner-up), and Irish Delos Santos of Thelma’s Eatery (Second Runner-up).

Cabanatuan City Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara recognized the support of both public and private partners in making Banatu Festival 2026 successful. She emphasized that the festival serves as a shared celebration of identity and pride for Cabanatueños while welcoming visitors to experience the city’s culture and unity.

This year’s festival carried the theme “Hinubog ng Kasaysayan, Pinatatag ng Mamamayan — Cabanatuan, Ipagmalaki Natin.”

Other major activities held from January 23 to February 3, 2026 included a job fair, TODA Games, Sayaw Cabanatuan, Banatu Run, Youth Night, Drag Queen competition, Binibining Cabanatuan, and the Gawad Parangal para sa Natatanging Anak Cabanatuan. (PIA 3)