The Malatarlak Festival takes its name from the a variety of grass that is native to the Luzon area. The plant is celebrated with sumptuous pageantry that’s characterized by schoolchildren dressed in grass-inspired costumes, who dance to the beat of traditional music. The Rice Cake Festival falls on the same day. Tarlac City’s annual Malatarlak Festival takes over the city during this fun and lively celebration that has a packed program of events and activities for visitors of all ages.

"This rice cake delicacy is made by steaming a bamboo segment, which is filled with coconut milk and sticky rice over fire.  I was able to get the cooking process from one of the vendors and soon try it myself when I get back home. I just found out that the whole process is really easy. Just get a 10-12 inch piece of bamboo with the node in the middle. Followed by washing the sticky rice, put some rock salt and fill the bamboo with it. Leave some space for the coconut milk and coconut cream . Cover it with a banana leaf. Place the bamboo pieces in an oven . You will know it when it's ready to eat when the bamboo turns brown . And to eat it, you need to crack the bamboo (in) half . I am sure this binungay would taste good with hot chocolate or coffee or just...plain sugar."

The week-long event begins with an opening ceremony, trade fair, food and drink stalls and live musical and dance entertainment. Additional events include numerous sport competitions, cooking demonstrations, markets, dance competitions and other live entertainment shows. The final day is concluded with a grand procession and a fireworks display.

Tarlac

Tarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon Island. Its capital is Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north, and Zambales to the west. It is a part of Central Luzon, which is also composed of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Zambales.