RICE IS LIFE. For more than half of humanity, it is the grain that has shaped the diet, cultures and economies of billions of people around the world. For them, life without rice is simply unthinkable.
Rice products, recipes, rituals and festivals have great significance in the country’s cultural heritage. They are, likewise, interwoven into dances, folk songs, poetry and paintings.
Comes the Palayan Festival, the feast that is celebrated by the Kapatagueños in honor of the staple that has enriched thousands of lives particularly in the Kapatagan Valley vicinity. In Asia, 60 to 70 percent of the over two billion people depend on rice, while in the Philippines, it is 85 percent of the population. So, it is suffice to say that without rice, we become less of a Filipino.The five-day festival is a tribute to the rice farmers, who are undoubtedly the most important part of the country’s national food security. The event also highlights the importance of rice, and engaged the participation of individuals and organizations in the attainment of the celebration’s goal, which is to improve production and access to rice.A showcase of these various rice products is the highlight of the event wherein local folks provide a taste of their own rice recipes. Rice farmers are now turning to tourism for that additional income by selling their rice products to visitors. Some of the local produce is budbud, biko, bingka, espasol, palitao, puto, kalamay, and arroz valenciana, likened to the Spanish dish "paella." More of its by-products are still to be included in the upcoming celebration to feature the flavor of local delicacies with a Kapatagueños’ bite.Other activities initiated by the different government agencies and local institutions are photo exhibits, art contests, symposiums, a quiz bowl, cultural shows and street dancing plus demonstrations on production of other rice products which are good for income generation. Handicraft expo is also featured using different indigenous materials available in the locality. The said activities seek continuous support from Department of Tourism, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, the Local Government Unit and other local and national agencies.
Comes the Palayan Festival, the feast that is celebrated by the Kapatagueños in honor of the staple that has enriched thousands of lives particularly in the Kapatagan Valley vicinity. In Asia, 60 to 70 percent of the over two billion people depend on rice, while in the Philippines, it is 85 percent of the population. So, it is suffice to say that without rice, we become less of a Filipino.The five-day festival is a tribute to the rice farmers, who are undoubtedly the most important part of the country’s national food security. The event also highlights the importance of rice, and engaged the participation of individuals and organizations in the attainment of the celebration’s goal, which is to improve production and access to rice.A showcase of these various rice products is the highlight of the event wherein local folks provide a taste of their own rice recipes. Rice farmers are now turning to tourism for that additional income by selling their rice products to visitors. Some of the local produce is budbud, biko, bingka, espasol, palitao, puto, kalamay, and arroz valenciana, likened to the Spanish dish "paella." More of its by-products are still to be included in the upcoming celebration to feature the flavor of local delicacies with a Kapatagueños’ bite.Other activities initiated by the different government agencies and local institutions are photo exhibits, art contests, symposiums, a quiz bowl, cultural shows and street dancing plus demonstrations on production of other rice products which are good for income generation. Handicraft expo is also featured using different indigenous materials available in the locality. The said activities seek continuous support from Department of Tourism, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, the Local Government Unit and other local and national agencies.
The Kapatagan Valley has been traditionally referred to as the "rice granary" of the province because of its ability to produce substantial volumes of "palay." The Kapatagan Town is protected by mountain ranges scattered along the southern and eastern sides of the locality which serve as natural barriers protecting the municipality from typhoons. Offsetting the mountain is the presence of flat coastal lands and valley. Kapatagan has some rolling plains. It has five (5) major rivers that flow to Panguil Bay, namely: Maranding, Panoloon, Butadon, Kidalos and Balili. The Cathedral Falls, Spring and Sta. Cruz waterfalls which are located at Barangay Cathedral Falls, Sta. Cruz and Waterfalls respectively, added to the beauty and wealth of the place. At present, the spring supplies water into Poblacion and some neighboring barangays.
The soil here is a good type of agricultural soil; hence, it is utilized for lowland crops such as rice, corn, vegetables among others.
