Mayor Lem Faustino and Vice Mayor Zar Candelaria, joined by town councilors, proudly showcase Calumpit’s famous Longanisang Bawang during the boodle fight on Wednesday, March 18, at the Mercado de Calumpit. (Freddie Velez)
CALUMPIT, BULACAN — Thousands of residents and visitors joined the 4th Longganisa Festival on Wednesday, March 18, coinciding with the town’s 454th founding anniversary.
Mayor Glorime “Lem” M. Faustino, Vice Mayor Zacarias “Zar” C. Candelaria, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan led the opening festivities at the Mercado de Calumpit, where the crowd took part in a massive boodle fight featuring the town’s signature Longanisang Bawang.
In her address, Mayor Faustino urged Calumpiteños to take pride in their local product, saying the garlicky sausage continues to bring recognition to the town across the country and abroad.
The festival included a competition among 25 long food tables, with winners receiving cash prizes from the municipal government. Consolation prizes were also awarded to other participants.
Calumpit’s Longanisang Bawang is made from lean pork, pork fat, garlic, bay leaves, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili — a recipe that has become a culinary trademark of the town.
As part of the celebration, the municipal government announced the CALUM-FIT Town Run 2026 on Friday, March 20.
Registration starts at 4:00 a.m., followed by warm-up Zumba, with the gun start at 4:30 a.m. The event will conclude with a Grand Zumba and cool-down session.
Mayor Faustino described the run as a morning of unity, health, and fun, inviting youth, families, fitness enthusiasts, and barangay groups to participate.
Registration is available through QR codes and online links posted by the municipal government.