CHUNKY pork sisig takes center stage at the 2019 Sisig Fiesta this April 27 at Galicano Valdes Street in Angeles City, the culinary capital of the Philippines. Inspired by the original sisig babi, chunky pork sisig is an ‘upgraded’ version with bigger cuts of pork face, skin and lean meat and a delicious mix of chicken liver, heart and onions. It is best enjoyed with a bowl of steam or fried rice or served on a hot sizzling plate.
Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO) and Fresh Options Meatshop, a subsidiary of RDF Feed, Livestock and Foods, Inc., have been partners since 2017 in organizing Sisig Fiesta to promote sizzling sisig babi as an intangible, cultural heritage of Angeles City. In October 2018, Sisig Fiesta was awarded third best in community-based tourism campaign or event category by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines.
Sisig, back in the 17th century, was once a delicacy for expectant mothers – a kind of salad with spicy vinegar dressing or any sour food item like unripe mangoes or guavas. It was in the 1980s that sisig was introduced as an appetizer or ‘pulutan’ in drinking places located along the old train station or crossing in Angeles City; a most popular one was Aling Lucing’s Sisig.
Since then, this Capampangan dish has become so popular in many local restaurants in Metro Manila. It has also gained international acclaim and was dubbed as “the best pork dish on earth” by the New York Times. The late American TV host, celebrity chef and traveler Anthony Bourdain also singled out sisig as the ‘next big thing’ in the culinary world.
At the Davao City trade fair of sister cities last March 2019, Dabawenyos had a taste of the Capampangan sisig, in partnership with ACTO and Fresh Options Meatshop.
In Sisig Fiesta 2019, the public will be invited to ‘take the chunky pork sisig challenge’ and get the chance to win fabulous prizes. This gastronomic event on April 27, 2019 will feature a sisig buffet from participating restaurants in Angeles City, a variety of food booths and popular live bands. The event will start at 6 pm and is free entrance for everyone./PN
