In Bacnotan town, where sugarcane fields meet the horizon and the air smells of salt and sun, something sweeter than molasses is being stirred—heritage.
At its heart are the calloused hands of tradition meeting the eager palms of the youth.
Recently, the Provincial Government of La Union revived Pulitipot ti Puli (sugarcane molasses), a local extension of the School of Living Tradition (SLT), organized by the La Union Provincial Tourism Office’s (LUPTO) Culture and Arts Unit.
This four-day immersion bridged centuries-old wisdom with the untapped passion of the young.
Pulitipot, thick golden molasses from pressed sugarcane, symbolizes Ilocano resourcefulness and community labor. Once poured over native rice cakes like patupat and sinakob, it represents shared history.
Like many traditions, it is fading.
Journey of rediscovery
What makes this initiative special is its focus on hands-on learning.
The youth were not just observers; they planted cane, swung machetes, and stirred boiling liquid around wood-fired vats. The process of dapil—pressing sugarcane—became a ritual.
They sweated, stumbled, and asked questions their great-grandparents might have answered, retracing steps to recover what time nearly erased.
In doing so, they learned not just how pulitipot is made—but why it mattered.
Ayla Fae Boadilla Medriano, youth representative from Bacnotan, observed that even the youngest hands understand that it’s more than just sugarcane juice—it’s heritage made personal.
“It’s our past, our pride, and now, part of my story too,” Medriano stated.
Belinda Cabusao from the Bacnotan Local Youth Development Office said she was thankful for the meaningful experience and the chance to connect with local culture.
“I saw how dedicated our elders are in passing on their knowledge. It made me appreciate our rich culture and reminded me how important it is for us youth to help preserve it,” she said.
Lived experiences
Placing heritage in the hands of the youth ensures its survival, not just through preservation but through lived experience—by doing, tasting, planting, and stirring.
Rannie Nieva, LUPTO senior tourism operations officer, explained the heart of the SLT initiative.
“Involving young people ensures cultural practices like pulitipot-making do not vanish, but echo through generations, preserving traditions for the future,” Nieva said.
In a fast-changing world, La Union takes a moment to honor its roots through heritage.
In Bacnotan, this effort has revived community spirit—elders now gladly mentor, farmers see renewed interest in sugarcane, and schools are exploring ways to bring culture into the classroom.
More than preserving the past, it also creates new opportunities in tourism, livelihood, and learning across generations.
Inspiring ripples
The success of Pulitipot ti Puli could inspire more cultural revivals across the Ilocos Region.
As more youth get involved, local governments may start mapping their own traditions—like weaving, pottery, fishing rituals, and storytelling.
La Union shows that heritage isn’t just something to admire—it’s a living legacy to be shared and passed on.
As the sugarcane fields of Bacnotan sway under the sun, the simmering vats of molasses blend youthful enthusiasm with elders’ wisdom, preserving pulitipot as a tradition that binds generations. (CCMT/KJCR, PIA La Union)
