Piyestang Tugak

Tugak - is the kapampangan term for frog takes the limelight in the annual Tugak Festival or Piyestang Tugak celebrated in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. This was started in 2003, the festival aimes to perpetuate and highlight the beautiful traditions of catching and

cooking frogs of the City's residents. The festival is usually celebrated during month of October.
The frog has always been a part of Kapampangan tradition and culinary culture - here from authentic and posh restaurants to the by-thestreetside eateries, a dish of frog is a common menu. The famous is 'batute' or deep-fried frog stuffed with lots and lots of meat and vegetables
The frog is part of Kapampangan tradition and culinary culture. It is said that in the early days when the farmers were totally dependent on rainwater to irrigate their farms, the children would gamely catch the frogs while their elders were busy cultivating the land or planting rice. This “game” eventually became an opportunity for families to establish strong bond as the technique used in catching frogs evolved to the point of being ritualistic. It was not unusual to see families lined up on top of ‘pilapil’ in many rice fields with their ‘paduas’ on one hand and ‘panyapu’ on the other. They would patiently wait for the frogs to bite the “bulating tudtud” as they move the ‘paduas’ in slow horizontal direction. They do this very quietly so that the frogs would not be agitated.
This practice was handed down to the succeeding generations. Up to this time, though their number has decreased, many families still carry this tradition as they catch frogs for their own consumption or for selling purposes.

Environment
One important characteristic of the frogs is that they eat insects which they catch through their long and sticky tongues. They help farmers get rid of bugs and other creepy creatures that destroy the plants.
Today, when the thought of dengue fever brings chill into our spines, the frogs can be of help in snuffing out these “killer flies”.
Economic Contributions
Everybody in the City of San Fernando would agree that the frog contributes to the income generated by the restaurants who serve this delicacy. Many regular costumers of these eateries go to them when they search for exotic food such as the frog. The continued patronage of the frog cuisine ensures a stable income to the restaurants and to frog catchers, as well.