For the people of Barangay Camansi in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, ibos is more than just a delicacy—it is their livelihood, legacy, and the symbol of unity.
What began as a simple tribute to this staple treat has transformed into the Ibos Festival, a celebration of resilience, hard work, and the unbreakable ties that bind a community together.
Village Councilor Lemar Kim Bation told Brigada News FM Philippines on Saturday, March 1, that the Ibos Festival originated from the food “ibos,” which serves as their main source of income.
Generations of families devote their days to cultivating rice and mastering the art of making ibos—sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves and steamed to perfection.
This local delicacy sustains the community, providing both nourishment and a source of livelihood, Bation said.
He added that most of the ibos vendors in the city proper come from Camansi, with some even going beyond Himamaylan, a neighboring city of Kabankalan in the 5th district of Negros Occidental.
The village officials also disclosed that Sitio Manumbala and Sitio Dos produce some of the most skilled ibos makers in the community.
The festival started in 2011, and this year should mark its 15th edition. However, a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic puts them in their 13th year of celebration.
One of the festival’s highlights aside from the dance competition was the “eat-all-you-can” ibos part, which invited both locals and visitors to indulge in the delicacy that defines their heritage.
Many families who once relied on ibos to survive use it as a stepping stone for their children’s education, turning hard-earned profits into opportunities for success, Bation said.
The rice that binds
Bation said Ibos carries a deeper meaning that extends beyond its taste and texture. Its sticky nature mirrors the unbreakable bonds within the community.
Just as sticky rice clings to every surface, the people of Camansi remain bound by a shared dream—to rise above challenges, he said.
Success stories continue to grow. Bation also shared that some of the children of Ibos makers have already graduated from college and secured jobs.
Indeed, the festival serves as a reminder of the hard work, sacrifices, and triumphs of the Ibos makers. It honors life, culture, community, resilience, and the unwavering bonds that keep them strong.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.