The popular “itik” or the native duck which produces the world famous ‘balut’ (broiled duck embryo), took center stage in a cooking contest participated in by local culinary enthusiasts in Angono, Rizal.

From fried to fermented “itik” to street food version of the native duck, the Angono cooking enthusiasts proudly showcased their unique viands in the Itik Cooking Contest held on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Plaza Rizal in Angono, as part of the series of activities lined-up for the Higantes Festival 2022.

The office of Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon said eight “itik” dishes were presented and prepared on the spot by eight participants, mostly are cooks and food enthusiasts and hobbyists who brought their own ingredients at the Plaza Rizal fronting the Angono Municipal Hall to join the cooking contest.

The winning ‘Itik’ dishes were first place, “Braised Duck on Grilled” by Jude Cayugcug of Barangay Poblacion Ibaba; second place, “Okoy Itik and Suman with Itik” by Rosario Herrera of Barangay Bagumbayan; and third place, “Kilawing Itik” of Mary Jane Dazo.

The winners received P5,000, P3,000, and P2,000 for the first to third prizes respectively. They also received a trophy and certificate.

“Itik” viands, especially the fried “Itik” are popular in Angono since kind of duck dishes were introduced to the residents by the native cooks in the early 1990’s.

Up to now, the fried itik continues to be the best seller among ‘Itik’ dishes as the long queue of customers wanting to buy the popular viand on E. Rodriguez Street in Angono seem to grow every day as witnessed by this reporter.

Old folks in Angono told Manila Bulletin that native ducks used to thrive along the lakeshore of the municipality in the past but duck raising vanished eventually as the locals shifted to other means of livelihood resulting in the fried “itik” producers to source their duck supply from Pampanga, Zambales and Pangasinan.