17/07/2026
Celebrating : Rice P**o Macapuno of Ligao
Filipinos are well known for their love of rice โ a staple that has shaped culinary traditions. A testament to this is the wide variety of desserts and snacks made from the grain, and one great example is the rice cake.
Rice cakes are primarily made from glutinous rice, which is ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a grinder (gilingan). There are different kinds of Filipino rice cakes, such as kutsinta, suman, biko, palitaw, sapin-sapin, and p**o. Each region in the Philippines offers specialty rice cake making rice cakes as part of Filipino culinary heritage.
In the Bicol region, Ligao City is famous for its delicious rice p**o macapuno. Travelers passing through Ligao City, specifically at Brgy. Paulog, are often greeted by rice macapuno vendors along the roadside.
This delicacy is made from finely ground rice batter known locally as galapong, a traditional mixture derived from soaked and milled glutinous rice, combined with sugar and coconut milk. While the preparation of galapong is labor-intensive, some producers have adopted mechanized methods to grind the glutinous rice, and skipped the soaking part.
What distinguishes this variety from other forms of p**o is its rich filling made from macapuno, or coconut sport, which is abundant in the area. The macapuno is carefully cooked with sugar until it reaches a caramelized consistency, resulting in a uniquely sweet and textured filling.
The preparation process reflects both ingenuity and tradition. The batter and filling are poured into a small coconut shell known as a pugay, which functions as a cooking vessel. These are then placed over improvised steamers made from recycled biscuit cans and heated using a wood-fired flame. Cooking typically takes less than a minute, depending on the intensity of the heat.
According to local practitioners, the knowledge and skills required to produce rice p**o macapuno are passed down through generations, ensuring the continuity of this culinary tradition. The production and sale of this delicacy represent not merely a source of livelihood but also a meaningful contribution to the preservation of Ligaoโs cultural heritage.
Rice p**o macapuno is more than a convenient snackโit is a cultural experience that reflects Bicolโs rich culinary heritage.
