COOKS and food lovers from 19 barangays in Angeles City took the challenge of creating new, innovative, tasty sisig recipes with a twist in time for Sisig Fiesta 2018 held recently at Angeles City. Organized by Fresh Options Meatshop, Sisig Fiesta 2018 showcased the top six sisig dishes that were chosen from the 19 recipes in a pre-fiesta showdown.
Three recipes, out of the six, were chosen top winners. Third place went to Barangay Virgen Delos Remedios for Arellenong Pork Sisig. Second place went to Barangay Pulung Maragul for Sisig Pockets. And grand prize went to Barangay Sta. Teresita for its Pork Sisig Roll in Tanglad/Pineapple Sauce. The top three winners were awarded cash prizes and meat products from Fresh Options.
The Sisig Fiesta was started in 2017. Now on its second year, it is envisioned to be an annual event to be held in the Crossing area in Angeles City every April. Robert H. Lo, President and CEO of RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods Inc. and Fresh Options Meatshop said that Sisig Fiesta aims to promote what New York Times called ‘the greatest pork dish on earth’ and honor the city from where it all began, Angeles City. Dr. Lo is passionate about preserving this “non-tangible heritage of the Angeleños especially for the younger generations.” His own meatshop, Fresh Options, also started in Angeles City where he opened his first store in 2005.
Sisig or Sisig Babi is a Filipino dish made from parts of a pig’s head (usually the ears and the cheeks) seasoned with a sour dressing and spices. The word “sisig” can be traced back to 1732 when Spanish friar Diego Bergamo included the word to his Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga and defined the word as a sour salad or snack. It actually started as a dish for expectant mothers in many Kapampangan homes. But it became popular as a dish in the late 60s when it was served as “pulutan” for beer in a sizzling plate in drinking places around the railroad crossing area. And the Sizzling Sisig as an appetizer and dish spread far and wide all over the country with some other regions now having their own version of the dish.
Thanks to Ordinance Number 405, approved by the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod, sisig babi is now declared an intangible, cultural heritage of Angeles City.
Sisig Fiesta 2018 had celebrity chefs demonstrating their culinary skills, songs and dance numbers and all kinds of food stalls serving sisig and a variety of delicious dishes Kapampangans are known for. A night market also added color to the event./PN
