Porac celebrates 21st Binulu Festival
Porac, Pampanga kicked off the 21st Binulu Festival on 14 November 2026, highlighting not only the towns unique cuisine, but also the union of the plains and the mountains and the rich culture of the town.
Binulu refers to a traditional Indigenous Filipino cooking method originating from the Aeta community, where rice, fish, meat, and vegetables are placed inside fresh bamboo tubes (bulu) and roasted slowly over an open flame. The bamboo acts as a natural vessel that infuses the food with a distinct, earthy aroma and moisture.
During the opening of the festival, Mayor Jaime Capil said, "Tulad ng pagluluto nito na nangangailangan ng tiyaga at tamang proseso, gayundin ang ating pamamahala, may malasakit, dedikasyon, at patuloy na pagsisikap upang matiyak na ang bawat proyekto at serbisyo ay nararamdaman at napakikinabangan ng bawat Poraqueño."
Department of Tourism (DOT) Region III Regional Director Dr. Richard G. Daenos was the guest of honor during the event. He underscored the importance of resilience, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.
Drawing inspiration from bamboo, Daenos highlighted its strength and flexibility as valuable lessons in facing today’s challenges and uncertainties.
"Bamboo is strong, yet flexible; deeply rooted, yet constantly growing. It bends but does not easily break, adapting to its environment without losing its roots," he emphasized.
He noted that the Binulu Festival goes beyond cultural festivities, serving as a platform for heritage preservation, livelihood generation, and sustainable tourism through its cultural performances, indigenized parol-making, culinary showcase, and trade fair.
The Binulu Festival which started in 2005, highlights the cooking of rice and viands such as fish, pork, chicken and other seafood stuffed and cooked together using a variety of bamboo called bulu. The festival is held every year in late November and aims to create a sense of community, as participants represent their barangays and would have to come up with a binulu dish with the help of the community.
The festival was first established in 2005 by then-parish priest Fr. Elmer Simbulan, alongside Fr. Resty Lumanlan, Prudencio Garcia, Tess David, and Adrian Garcia.
It was originally launched as part of the town's annual fiesta celebration honoring Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
The event began modestly with live demonstrations showing how traditional cooking with bamboo was done.
Binulu (or binulo) is an ancient indigenous cooking method where rice and various viands—such as fish, chicken, and pork—are stuffed inside a slender, green species of bamboo called bulu and slow-cooked over a wood fire.
The technique originates from and was popularized by the Aeta community of Porac and the Mount Pinatubo area as a practical way to prepare meals in the uplands.