Putong Pulo. Food and culture are related with each other. Food is an important part of any celebration in all nations of the world, regardless of culture or region. It plays an important part in how we celebrate. The celebrations that we have and the ways that we celebrate them are affected by our culture, and there are different cultures around the world.
In the Philippines, festivals are celebration of life. It is part of one’s custom, culture and tradition. They are there for us to celebrate. We can divide festivals into three kinds; national, seasonal, and religious. The first kind, the national festivals are celebrated with great patriotic favor. The second represents the change of season that that public celebrates their enthusiasm, and the third marks the religious association of people (Ethnic Group Philippines, 2011). In Barangay Polo in Valenzuela, residents celebrate the feast day of San Diego de Alcala on the 12th of November every year. Together with the fiesta, the town also celebrates the "Putong Polo Festival", a food festival honoring the putong Polo, a local variety of the Philippine rice cake puto.
Putong pulo is a popular Filipino delicacy, originated from Valenzuela, in the town of Polo. Its main ingredients are Premium or laon rice (dinorado), baking powder, sugar, cheese, and atchuete for coloring. For the procedure, first, soak the rice for 24 hours. After soaking it, grind the rice using a cornmill while it still wet from the soaking. Mix all the given ingredients according to the desired or given measurements. Place the mixed ingredients it on a swet or hulmahan to form it into puto. Lastly, place it into the steamer and let it cool (Aha! Valenzuela, 2013).
There was a competition that was held in the town of Polo, Bulacan, in 1920. A Presidential Awardee of the most delicious delicacy was awarded to the Nieva Family, made the Putong Pulo. After this, it became famous delicacy and many entrepreneurs made this food as their business.
The owner of the Mang Delfin’s Putong Polo, Delfin Guttierez Jr., joined a competition but unfortunately did not got the chance win. He made his loss as his motivation to keep going and try harder to make his business grow. Later on, it became a successful man. Senator Win Gatchalian had personally chosen this product to be specially delivered to the government birthday celebrants, from Barangay Captains, Councilors, and other employees.
According to Aha! Valenzuela, “Mang Delfin’s putong polo success was not just about the buyers, or the puto itself, but it came from perseverance, hard work and faith in one’s own work.”
Certain foods also have symbolic meaning behind them. Long, uncut noodles symbolize long life; Sweet rice and food made from it symbolize the bond between family members. From what I have learned on Mang Delfin’s life, it can also have deeper symbolism; it is being able to continue on trying to do something inspite of difficulties and challenges in life
Acierto, Krystelle B.