Biking Down Memory Lane: The Burnham Boy Returns to Lake Drive Where He Worked as Bike Attendant in the 80s

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In 1982, an eighteen- year-old man from the island town of Anda, Pangasinan bravely went to Baguio City and tested his luck for his dream of sending himself to college. He worked as a bike attendant in a concession located along Lake Drive, part of Burnham Park for almost a year. Their employers call him and his fellows Burnham Boys–an obvious moniker.  The young man dealt with different types of tourists and recreational vehicles daily to move the wheel of his life. His working experience in the City of Pines helped him to be a high school teacher in his town. This industrious and courageous person is my father.  Whenever his previous students complimented him, I often hear that they remember my father’s diligence. They share sir Dops’ tales of working in the sea of Tondol and in various cities and provinces to save money for the pursuit of being the first degree holder of his family. They often tell me about my father's seashells picking in our barangay, construction works i...
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Binongey Festival: A Celebration that Makes Andanians Stick Together

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Splits of binongey and slices of mangoes are served on the table for the Pidudungo activity at the 22nd Binongey Festival. Photo by Apethography Avenue

There is a delicacy in the municipality of Anda, Pangasinan that is the star of the feasts. It is meticulously prepared for hours as glutinous rice, the main ingredient of this food, is soaked in coconut milk before stuffed inside the bamboo tubes and cooked in low fire. Binongey or bamboo cake is the town’s specialty that is proudly served by the Andanians at the tables in their special occasions.



As it is part of the people’s cultural identity, Binongey Festival is held yearly which is simultaneously commemorated with the town’s fiesta. Townsfolks of the eighteen barangays have their showdown in cooking the said rice delicacy which eventually ends in gathering and communal dining at the plaza and streets of Poblacion.

As a local resident, I have seen how the town celebrates the festival through the years. There are float parades, street dancing competitions, and gourmet contests that bring color and excitement among the spectators.



The local government unit held the 22nd Binongey Festival last Sunday, May 10, 2026. This year’s celebration was toned down due to the oil crisis experienced by the country. The organizers planned to make the occasion meaningful and optimistic in this challenging time.

My mother and I went to the town’s plaza to witness the activities there. Hundreds of Andanians watched the events unfolded.

The eighteen barangays showed their creativity and culinary skills through their ‘Pidudungo’ set up. The barangay councils gave their very best to showcase binongey as the main piece through the stalls and tables.  Mango is indispensable in their presentation as it is the best partner of the bamboo cake.

Aside from fruits and vegetables, the stalls are overflowing with sumptuous seafood recipes which are attention- grabbing. Well, aside from agricultural bounty, Anda is known for its waters teeming with marine creatures such as fish, octopus, crabs, and shrimp. The stalls depict the rural life in the island which highly depends on agriculture and fisheries.



Local products such as salt, coconuts, and silag (buri) were also displayed and used as decors. What impressed me is the way the foods were arranged and presented. I saw a map of Anda made of binongey. The sticky rice was also placed in boat-like containers which makes one think of going to the beach and savor the specialty. The competition was an avenue to show how talented and artistic the people of Anda are.




Moreover, the contingents levelled up the cooking of binongey. Some did a variety of it like having boiled eggs with it. Some even used shrimps as toppings. While others have used sweet ingredients such as coconut caramel sauce. There were different recipes using the delicacy such as paella, empanada, and embutido. They say that we have our 100 ways of cooking binongey.




As people moved stall to another stall, they could not help but to drool to what are served on the table. That was a mouthwatering tour.

The local folks competed for the longest, biggest, and smallest binongey. The audience marveled on the different sizes binongey measured near the stage.




The main highlight of the event happened twilight which is the Pidudungo. This is a Bolinao word for communal dining. Locals and visitors are invited to partake meal like in a boodle fight. The food gets more delicious when it is shared.

Binongey Festival brings Andanians closer. This activity aims to make our connection as one community like how good quality of binongey must be—sticky. May we have stronger bond and palatable life whatever we face daily.

Happy Binongey Festival, fellow Andanians!

 

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