Pinikpikan featured in Culinary Treasures book

CULTURE TRENDS 

Pinikpikan as Cordillera's attribute in the new book "Salu-salo -- A Celebration of Philippine Culinary Treasures" featured by Ms Lilian Aliping, spouse of Baguio Rep. Nicasio M. Aliping, Jr.

The Pinikpikan was featured not only as a delicacy but also in its significance to Cordillera customs and culture. "Pinikpikan is deeply rooted in a traditional Cordilleras ritual of divining a person's course of action or fate," Mrs. Aliping said in her feature.

The article explained how the dish is traditionally prepared starting from the method of butchering. Also featured is the "etag", one of the main ingredient of pinikpikan, with a brief description on how it is traditionally prepared.

In the whole Cordillera Region, there are several ways to cook the pinikpikan depending on which locality you're coming from. But they all share a common preparation, the "pikpik" which was explained in the book.

"With minimal ingredients, most of the flavor of this chicken dish comes from the preparation lightly beating beneath the fowls the wings (pikpik) to coagulate the blood singeing its feathers over an open flame."

Among the cool climate, art houses and fine hotels, it also mentioned Cordillera's fresh produce like the strawberries and organic vegetables as part of the region's main attractions. 

The book is published by the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) headed by its president and Quezon City Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte and edited by Philippine Star's lifestyle writer Mons Romulo.

It was launched on September 23 at the Speaker's Social Hall in the House of Representatives with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte as the guest speaker.

Mrs. Aliping said the book is "a collection of Filipino recipes, some of which were contributed by CSFI members themselves."

Speaker Belmonte lauded the book launching saying the project would do well to promote local dishes not just in the country but in the international market as well. Belmonte said "he would include the book in the basket of giveaways to visiting dignitaries from all over the world to showcase the Filipino culinary traditions."

Ms Joy Belmonte said the foundation is hoping that "the Department of Tourism can also include this as among the products they can promote in aid of supporting tourism in our country through their visit Philippines 2015 campaign and perhaps even include it in the APEC kit to be given to delegates next year."

Ms. Belmonte said the proceeds of the book would go the CSFI scholarship program, which provides full college scholarship to deserving young women.

The foundation also aims to raise enough funds to support their calamity assistance program in the wake of the devastation brought about by the effects of climate change.
The book can be purchased at the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Incorporated (CSFI) office for P900.