Biggest ‘bandi' made in San Joaquin

By Erly C. Garcia

Bandi makers from San Joaquin, Iloilo work together to make the country's biggest bandi (peanut candy) measuring 140.65 square meters or 14.5 x 9.7 meters which covered more than half of the basketball court at the municipal stadium.

Seven sacks of peanuts, seven sacks of raw sugar, seven gantas of sesame seeds and three cans of cooking oil. All of these made up the biggest bandi (peanut candy) in the country and perhaps in the whole world. Labored by seventy bandi makers from San Joaquin , Iloilo , the biggest bandi—measuring 140.65 square meters or 14.5 x 9.7 meters—was completed for about five hours.

Gearing to become the “Bandi Capital of Western Visayas ” the municipal government of San Joaquin held this historic event on the third day of the Bayluhay Festival dubbed as “Adlaw kang Bandi”.

San Joaquin is famous for this local delicacy, the native peanut being its staple product.

Mayor Ninfa Garin said the making of the biggest bandi is a tribute to the thriving bandi-making industry which is one of the greatest resources gifted to the locals.

Fausto Nonesco, president of the Qui-anan Bandi Makers Cooperative expressed gratefulness to the local government's recognition of the bandi industry in their town.

He said, “this would be a big boost to our business since people from other places would be aware that we have this local product.”

San Joaquin celebrates its first-ever Bayluhay Festival from January 10 to 15.

Several activities were lined up for the weeklong festivity which include the agro-fair in the municipal grounds, the “Pamaybayon” or coastal activities, the coronation of the municipal fiesta queen and the famous bullfight or “Pasungay” which is already an annual attraction.

“Out of the ruins and lessons of the past, we are gradually improving the state of our town. Because of this, nagapasalamat gid ako sa tanan nga sektor sang aton komunidad nga nagpakita sang ila pagka-sinsero sa pagbuylog kag pagsakdag sa lokal nga pamahalaan sa diin nalambot naton ang aton mga plano ,” Garin said.

“No matter how big or small your contribution is for the welfare of San Joaquin , it matters a lot because what is most important is the spirit of cooperation that goes with it,” the lady mayor added.