DAGUPAN CITY, Apr. 16 (PIA) -- The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Asingan in Pangasinan is eyeing to secure a spot in the Guinness World of Records for crafting the longest-lined glutinous (sticky) rice cake delicacy for the Kankanen Festival 2025.

“Kankanen” is an Ilocano term for native rice delicacies or products made of glutinous rice such as biko and suman.

Asingan Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. shared they are currently in the process of preparing the longest native rice cake to potentially set a Guinness World Record next year, aiming to showcase the unity within their town to the world.

“We aspire for Asingan to be recognized as the premier ‘Kankanen’ municipality of the province, given our town is rich in agricultural heritage,” Lopez said.

He added the endeavor would not only secure a place for the town in the book of records, but also effectively promote its agricultural products such as the inkiwar (biko) which is popular in the town.

Lopez explained that based on the comprehensive land use plan (CLUP), Asingan’s fields are protected from commercial development, with only a designated portion allocated for such purposes.

The remaining 70 percent is strictly reserved for agriculture, with residents mostly engaged in rice planting.

He said that 13 out of the 21 barangays are dedicated to rice production across two planting seasons, while the remaining eight barangays cultivate a diverse range of crops including chili, corn, eggplant, okra, papaya, peppers, and various other vegetables.

On April 13, each of the 21 barangays in Asingan showcased their unique versions of kankanen, totaling 564 circular trays (bilao) that were enjoyed by both residents and visitors.

This year’s achievement surpassed that of last year, which was 536 trays of rice cakes.

Lopez said the LGU bears no expenses for the participants and the only provision is the bilao.

He assured that their farmers would have the capacity to produce the required amount of glutinous rice for the world record attempt.

Meanwhile, the Bantog Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Bantog will be hosting the “Gatas Festival” from April 19 to 21 as part of the Kankanen Festival.

“The Gatas Festival, which we also referred to as the Carabao Food Festival, is a gesture of gratitude for the abundance of carabaos bestowed upon us,” said Rolly Mateo Sr., chairman of the cooperative, extending an invitation to residents and visitors to witness and support the festival.

Mateo said that carabao’s milk serves as Asingan’s One Town One Product (OTOP).

The three-day event will also showcase various carabao meat dishes such as dumplings, frozen bulalo, siomai, skinless longganisa, and tapa.

Mateo said the Bantog Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative was established in 2009 and currently has 234 members. (JCR/MJTAB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)