16/01/2026
ATI NGA MANUGLIMBOK
(ATI PINIPIG-MAKER)
Behold! The Ati of Pinipig, from the municipality of Enchanting Balete. He epitomizes the diligence and perseverance of a pinipig maker from that enamouring town shut in by mighty trees.
Renown is the Baleten-on cookery in terms of pinipig and its by-products such as the bayi-bayi. This pre-colonial culinary art is one of those treasures of the Baleten-on community that is being preserved and conserved with the support of the Local Government Unit of the Municipality of Balete, Aklan.
Pinipig are made from select unripe grains of any of the myriads of upland rice varieties as well as of the glutinous ones. The process entails meticulous procedures starting with sun-drying the grains lightly, soaking them, and fire-drying in a vat until they are crisp enough for the next step. After which, instead of pounding them on a mortar as in other localities, the unique practice of Baleten-ons is to press the grains using a gigantic rolling pin made of a coconut trunk for a number of times until the flakes loosen from the husks. The process is refined by putting the by-products into the winnowing pan to fully separate to fragrant flakes from the husks.
The labor-intensive process discourages many save for a few families living in a small pocket of community in Barangay Feliciano and its adjacent barangay of Calizo, all in Balete, Aklan. With its crispiness and fresh fragrance reminiscent of a waft of a newly harvested rice, the pinipig flakes are perfect snack for one relaxing in front of a TV on a weekend or for one absorbed on a good book.
It is for these reasons then that the Sangguniang Bayan of Balete per its Resolution No. 800-sb2025 decided to declare the pinipig-making process as an intangible cultural heritage of the Baleten-on community. Corollary to that, it also incorporated it as one of those creative industries in its Tourism and Cultural Heritage Code enacted under Ordinance No. 125 – 2022. And the Ati Pinipig-maker epitomizes the relevance of these process here at the Higante Parade 2026.
In addition to that, this symbolism is conceive to express appreciation to and offer support to the families of pinipig makers who amidst the technological advancement, did resist and insist on their traditional practice of producing tasty snacks. The Belotindos, Cuales , Concepcion, De Juan and Cuadernal, they are the champions who despite of the duteous process of pinipig-making, decided to continue the legacy in the manner they received if from their forebears. In so doing, they manage to preserve an important aspect of our cultural memory for the next generation to appreciate and continue.
Thus, the Ati Pinipig Maker stands as the symbol of our resolve of preserving and conserving this culinary form, hopeful that it can be passed on the next in line. He is with us today joining in our revelry in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Child, the Sr. Sto Niño Ati-atihan Festival 2026. He is in solidarity with our struggles and resolve of and to show off for all to see the actors in the process of pinipig-making such as the winnowers and the pressers. Be aware that as he go out of his way to join in this frenzy here in the capital, he brings with him limbok and bayi-bayi to bewitch your taste and your memory.
Ati nga Manuglimbok it Enchanting Balete nga nagáabi-abi ag nagátamyaw: “Masinadyahong Ati-atihan sa tanan! Viva kay Sr. Sto. Niño!
