Manila: This town, renowned as the center of Roman Catholic faith in Eastern Visayas, is upholding its Holy Week tradition of preparing "molabola," a local delicacy that has become a symbol of faith. Even with the advent of fast food in the area, families engage in creating this dish, classified as slow food, using traditional methods and high-quality locally sourced ingredients.
According to Philippines News Agency, molabola is a rice-based dish traditionally prepared on Good Friday during Holy Week as a meatless meal. It features soft, chewy rice balls cooked in coconut milk, sugar, and ginger. The preparation process itself is considered a form of penitence and offering, involving the laborious task of shaping glutinous rice into hundreds of bite-sized balls and the continuous stirring of boiling coconut milk in a large cauldron.
On April 15, the local government organized the Molabola Festival, bringing together culinary talents from across Palo town. Participants showcased their skills in preparing the traditional delicacy, marking one of the opening activities for Pamalandong ha Palo 2025, alongside the kickoff of the annual Visita Iglesia at the town plaza. Pamalandong is a reenactment of the Lord's Passion celebrated in town every Good Friday.
Palo municipal tourism officer Nariza Marasigan highlighted that what makes molabola distinct is not just its ingredients but the heartfelt way it's prepared. Over time, molabola has transcended being mere food for many locals; its preparation has become a sacred act of preserving memory, culture, and faith. Before Good Friday, family members participate in grinding the glutinous rice and shaping it into bite-sized balls, sharing stories and family rituals, unconsciously passing down tradition to the next generation.
One festival participant, Josephine Palejo from San Jose village, presented her unique molabola version mixed with jackfruit and paired with a refreshing pandan coconut drink. 'This event also encourages community spirit, as families and friends gather to share in the preparation and enjoyment of molabola, fostering a sense of unity,' Palejo remarked.
The festival features an exciting competition where pairs of contestants prepare traditional, modern, and fusion versions of molabola, paired with creative drinks. The competition rules ensure that all recipes are freshly crafted on-site, with 20 pairs of participants showcasing their culinary flair and innovation while honoring the traditional flavors of molabola. The local government has not yet announced the festival winners.
Palo's Holy Week is deeply solemn, with the town being a historical center of Catholicism in Leyte. People observe fasting and abstinence, and molabola, being a meatless, simple dish, perfectly suits the occasion. It is served after the 'pabasa' and following long processions or silent moments of prayer inside the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral. Molabola is offered to the 'Penitentes' after their Good Friday walk and is freely given to visitors and families during this sacred season.
Palo is home to the offices of the ecclesiastical government of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo, the archbishop's residence, and the secondary, tertiary, and theology seminaries of the archdiocese. The diocese serves 1.2 million Roman Catholic residents across 63 parishes, one chaplaincy, and 13 mission stations, divided into the Eastern District for Waray-speaking people and the Western District for Cebuano-speaking residents.
