Albay town serves 300 kilos of ‘tinapa’ at festival
PIO DURAN, ALBAY—More than a thousand tourists and residents feasted on over 300 kilos of tinapa (smoked fish) during a 225-meter boodle fight at this town’s Tinapa Festival on Sunday.
The long communal table at the town pier featured six tinapa dishes—dinakdakan, sisig, lumpia, embutido, Bicol Express and traditional fried tinapa—using around 310 kilos of smoked fish.
Tourism officer Jockey Inocencio Serrano said the activity showcased Pio Duran’s thriving smoked fish industry and was among the highlights of the town’s 62nd founding anniversary and 3rd Tinapa Festival.
Kris Sodsod, one of the town’s tinapa producers, said the first-ever boodle fight was a success, thanks to the unity of local producers.
“All 32 members, divided into five groups, helped in the preparation with support from the local government unit (LGU). This is a big break for marketing our product,” Sodsod told the Inquirer.
Mayor Vangie Cañaveral Arandia thanked local communities for supporting the festival, saying it honors the workers behind the town’s tinapa industry.
Tribute to makers
“This is in honor of the makers of tinapa. We value their contribution to the economy while promoting tourism that creates jobs and livelihoods for our people,” Arandia said.
Marilou Elaurza, a board member of a local cooperative, said the festival gave them a chance to introduce their products to a wider market. Their cooperative produces at least 400 jars of smoked fish daily, which are sold locally and abroad.
“With abundant fish in our area, we process them into smoked fish. Through the support of the LGU and World Vision, we formed a cooperative that created jobs and helped alleviate poverty,” Elaurza said.
The tinapa industry in Barangays 4 and 5 remains a major livelihood for fishing communities and an enduring symbol of Pio Duran’s maritime heritage.
