Some 2,000 people partook of big servings of “Pansi Cabagan” (pancit or rice noodles) at lunchtime at the Cabagan Square Park, as part of the week-long celebration of the 9th Pansi Festival in this town.

“It is very delicious as usual. It is our regular viand here and we love eating Pansi Cabagan,” villager Jose Arugay, 70, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) as he took a forkful of the native delicacy.

For this year’s celebration of the festival, organizers had the noodle dish served on tables forming “2020” to depict the current year.

Mayor Christopher Mamauag said they decided on this to usher in the “new decade”, believing that the Year of the Rat would bring good fortune, wealth, and success in career and business to the villagers.

The local rice noodle dish called “pansi” (an Ibanag term for pancit) is part of the rich history and culture of the people in their town, he said.

“The annual tribute is a testament to the thriving native noodle industry and the farmers’ bountiful harvest here,” Mamauag added.

Villagers and restaurant owners in the town helped cook the Pansi Cabagan using 200 kg. of “miki” noodles, 100 kg. of pork meat and fish, 200 quail eggs and chicken eggs, chicharon, tinapa (smoked fish), hibi (small shrimps), tuna and squid strips, vegetables and ingredients.

The finished product was served in about 100 pieces of “bilao” or native woven tray, and consumed by the local residents in less than 30 minutes.

Other events lined up for the Pansi Festival are a sports competition, Senior Citizens-SK-Balikbayan-OFW Night, a beauty pageant, and street dance, to be held until Saturday. (PNA)