The 25th Agawan Festival in Sariaya, Quezon, concluded with a unique and delicious twist this year with the first-ever Pinagong eating activity hosted by Universal Robina Corporation, Flour Division.  This exciting event saw a record-breaking 1,800 participants, a mix of Sariaya locals and enthusiastic tourists, come together to celebrate the town’s famed “Pinagong” bread.

Led by Mayor Marcelo Gayeta himself, the Pinagong Eating activity added a lively new chapter to the vibrant Agawan Festival. The name “Pinagong,” meaning “turtle” in Tagalog, reflects the bread’s distinctive shape. This sweet bread, a local favorite, boasts a soft, fluffy texture and a delicate flavor that has won the hearts (and stomachs) of Sariaya for generations.

THANK YOU FROM URC. Naida Ebora, Sales Marketing and Distribution Director of Universal Robina Corporation Flour Division addresses the crowd during the opening of the program. The company’s sponsorship of the town’s fiesta coincides with the grand launch of the URC flour plant in Barangay Talaan, Sariaya, Quezon.

Naida Ebora, Sales, Marketing and Distribution Director of Universal Robina Corporation Flour Division graced the event together with other URC representatives to congratulate the town of Sariaya as they celebrate their annual Agawan Festival.

“Ang URC ay nagagalak at kami ay kasalo ninyo sa pagdiriwang ng inyong 25^th Agawan Festival 2024. Mula ng itayo namin ang aming planta dito sa bayan ng Sariaya na matatagpuan sa Barangay Talaan, pinakita na ninyo ang inyong mainit na pagtanggap. Kaya naman ibinabalik namin ito sa pagiging partner ng Sariaya para sa mas maganda, mas malaki at mas pinasaya na Agawan Festival 2024” said Ebora.

URC’s sponsorship of the Agawan Festival 2024 coincides with the official opening of their flour mills and blending facilities this year, which is located in Barangay Talaan, Aplaya Road in Sariaya, Quezon.

“Tunay ngang kakaiba ang ating pagdiriwang dahil tayong lahat ay kasama na sa kasaysayan dahil sa symbolic na pagkain ng Pinagong Bread kung saan sama-sama, ipapakita natin na marami tayong magagawa pag tayo ay nagkakaisa. Ngayon na nandito na ang URC Flour Division sa bayan ng Sariaya, makakaasa kayo na ang mga naglipanang bakery sa inyong bayan ay makakagamit ng aming mga produkto upang mas lalong pasarapin hindi lang ng inyong Pinagong Bread, kung hindi pati na rin ang iba pa ninyong bread products” added Ebora.

PHOTO CAPTION: WINNERS OF PAGANDAHAN SA SAYAWAN. The winning barangay with Mayora Marivic Gayeta proudly displayed their winning upcycled costume, including upcycled URC Flour sacks.

Aside from the historic Pinagong Eating activity, URC also sponsored products and cash prizes for the Pagandahan sa Sayawan where participants get to showcase their creativity as they incorporate used URC Flour sacks in their costumes and the exciting Surpresa sa Bagakay, which allowed Sariayahin a chance to win home appliances and URC products.

Participants of all ages came together, laughing, cheering, and enjoying the camaraderie as they savored the unique taste of Pinagong. The success of the Pinagong Eating activity is a testament to the creativity and spirit of Sariaya. It’s an innovative way to showcase the town’s delectable local food while fostering a sense of fun and community spirit.

Mayor Marcelo Gayeta who led the festivities with his family and the members of the local government unit of Sariaya has nothing but praise for URC Flour.

“WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER”. Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta and his family, together with the representatives of Universal Robina Corporation, Flour Division raises the “Pinagong” bread, symbolizing that in unity there is strength. This is the first time that the “Pinagong” eating activity was included in the town’s colorful and exciting festivities.

“Ang bayan ng Sariaya ay nagpapasalamat sa Universal Robina Corporation dahil ngayong taon, mas pinaganda, pinalaki at pinasaya ang ating taunang Agawan Festival dahil sa kanilang suporta. Makakaasa kayo na ang aming bayan lalo na sa mga kumpanyang nagdadala ng negosyo at investments ay magkakaroon ng maayos at mabilis na transaksyon pag dating sa serbisyong inyong kailangan na magmumula sa aking tanggapan” said Mayor Gayeta.

SURPRESA SA BAGAKAY. Sariayahin gets to participate in the “Surpresa sa Bagakay” sponsored by Universal Robina Corporation Flour Division where they get to win exciting prizes like home appliances and URC products.

With this year’s overwhelming success, the Pinagong Eating activity will become a permanent fixture in the Agawan Festival calendar, attracting even more visitors to Sariaya and its delightful Pinagong bread.