AKFEC announced that the festival will once again be guided by its returning chairman, the brother of Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. and former councilor Mel Lopez, whose experience is expected to help sustain the success of previous celebrations.

The Kankanen Festival is a thanksgiving event that highlights kankanen, the collective term for traditional rice delicacies made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, sugar, and other local ingredients. These native foods have long been an integral part of Asingan’s cultural life and are traditionally served during fiestas, family gatherings, and religious occasions.

All 21 barangays of Asingan are expected to participate in the 2026 celebration by preparing and showcasing various native delicacies such as biko (inkalti), suman, palitaw, puto, latik, tupig, and bitso-bitso. In previous years, hundreds of trays (bilao) of kankanen were shared freely with residents and visitors, turning the festival into a large communal feast.

Aside from food exhibits, the week-long festival will feature street dancing, cultural performances, competitions, and community activities aimed at promoting local culture, strengthening community ties, and boosting tourism.

AKFEC said the 2026 Kankanen Festival will continue to focus on preserving Asingan’s cultural heritage while further enhancing community participation and festival programming.

The Kankanen Festival remains one of Asingan’s major cultural events, serving as both a culinary showcase and a symbol of unity, gratitude, and pride among the Asinganians.