Thousands joined the First Longganisa Festival in line with the celebration of the 451st Founding Anniversary of the town of Calumpit in the province of Bulacan on Friday, March 24.
Calumpit Mayor Glorime M. Faustino and Vice Mayor Zacarias C. Candelaria said they prepared various activities including the King and Queen Longganisa pageant participated in by residents and the street dancing competition wherein they urged all government schools in the town to join.
Calumpit Mayor Glorime M. Faustino (left) and Vice Mayor Zacarias C. Candelaria (2nd left) led the boodle fight measuring 514 meters in length during the first-day celebration of the First Longganisa Festival in Calumpit, Bulacan, in line with its 451 Founding Anniversary on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Marcel Bayan)
Mayor Faustino shared that the celebration will be held for two days -- March 24 and 25 -- as they plan to level up their longganisa products for a larger market.
She said they aim to export the longganisa with the help of the local government units and other business sectors.
Earlier, a boodle fight was held along Calumpit-Pulilan road in Barangays Corazon and Caniogan wherein over 3,000 people joined.
Calumpit Councilor Mau Torres, tourism chairman committee, said the boodle fight measured 514 meters in length and featured "Longganisang Bawang."
Bulacan Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro also attended the celebration with Bulacan Provincial Executive Secretary James Santos who represented Governor Daniel R. Fernando; Board Member Romina Fermin, and the Bikers Longganisa makers.
Calumpit Police Chief Lt. Col. Rey M. Apolonio led the security and safety preparation for the festival celebration with the Calumpit rescue team headed by Jonjon Santiago.
Calumpit is known for its famous Longganisa variant called the "Longganisang Bawang" which is made of lean pork, pork fat, garlic, bay leaves, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili.
Longganisa makers expressed gratitude to the Calumpit municipal government for holding the First Calumpit Longganisa Festival.
They said this is a big help for them in making the Calumpit Longganisa to be known not only in the province of Bulacan but also nationwide and worldwide.