Pateros , known as the Balut sa Puti capital of the Philippines, is a small municipality in Metro Manila. Despite its small population and land area, it is recognized for its rich culture.A famous Filipino delicacy, Balut, is a fertilized duck egg incubated for a specific period of time before being boiled and eaten. The process might seem complex and unusual to some, but it is precisely the uniqueness that contributes to the food’s intriguing place in culinary tradition.
Theresa Flores, a Balut store owner for 25 years, believes that preserving the traditional methods of making Balut or Garong is challenging. She has had to adapt and embrace new technologies and strategies to remain competitive in the market.
“Malaki rin ang naitulong sa akin ng Municipal hall [kasi] nandyan na ‘yung instant incubator. At the same time, na encourage kaming mga mamamayan ng Pateros na buhayin muli ang Balut industry,” she said.
On the other hand, Danny, a seasoned practitioner of the traditional art of making balut known as a ‘mambabalot’, has dedicated over 20 years to perfecting his craft.
His fascination with the process began in his youth, as he observed neighbors in his community skillfully preparing balut. He emphasizes that mastering this craft requires years of dedicated learning and hands-on experience.
“Usually, 5000 eggs every other day ang ginagawa namin dito. Tiyaga at pasensya lang din ‘talaga. Dahil gusto namin quality [‘yung’] product na inilalabas namin dito,” Danny added.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pateros together with the DOST and DOT works hand in hand to revive the Balut industry, one of their efforts to revitalize the traditional making process includes providing incubators that improve the production of Balut in the municipality.
The LGU, along with Theresa and Danny, believe that the future of the Balut industry extends beyond its traditional boundaries. They think that collaborating will help establish and ensure a sustainable and promising future for this unique culinary tradition.
“Kasi kapag sinabing Balut, Pateros talaga. Kapag sinabing Balut ng Pateros, quality.”
