UMVA has learned that a beloved Filipino dessert has brought a community together in a spectacular celebration of culture and tradition. The 7th Halo-Halo Festival was held in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, a town widely recognized as the “Halo-Halo Capital” of the province.
The multi-day festival drew thousands of residents and visitors, showcasing the municipality’s rich culture and longstanding halo-halo tradition through vibrant street parades, captivating cultural performances, and musical competitions. The highlight of the event was the preparation of a giant halo-halo, shared among the community in a massive container.
For a leading milk company, the celebration represents more than a festive gathering. It reflects decades of livelihood and entrepreneurship built around halo-halo vendors in Esperanza, many of whom have relied on their products for generations. Close to 30 halo-halo stalls in Esperanza, some operating since the 1970s, continue to use their evaporated milk as a key ingredient.
One longtime vendor, Chona Ramoran Mediadero, shared a heartwarming story of how halo-halo helped uplift her family’s life. “Because of this livelihood, I was able to send my two children to college and they have already graduated,” she said. “For the past 32 years, I’ve only been using Alaska Evaporated Milk, which makes my halo-halo very delicious.”
The festival also underscored the cultural significance of halo-halo, which literally means “mix-mix,” reflecting the blending of traditions and communities in Sultan Kudarat. Historical accounts trace Esperanza’s halo-halo industry back to the early 1970s, when vendors established stalls that eventually became one of the municipality’s most recognized economic and cultural symbols.
The local government and community members came together to prepare the giant halo-halo, symbolizing unity, cooperation, and shared prosperity among Esperanza residents. The event was a testament to the power of a beloved Filipino dessert to bring people together and create opportunities across generations.
The mayor of Esperanza emphasized the importance of preserving the festival and passing its meaning to younger generations. “Ipamana natin sa mga kabataan ang tunay na diwa ng Halo-Halo Festival. Ang Esperanza po ay mananatiling mag-uumpisa sa halo-halo. Ang kasaganahan, kapayapaan, at patuloy na pag-progreso ng ating bayan ay mag-uumpisa at matatapos sa halo-halo,” he said.
A company representative expressed their continued support for the festival, aligned with their broader purpose of supporting Filipino communities while helping provide affordable and accessible nutrition. “Supporting Esperanza’s Halo-Halo Festival is aligned with our purpose of providing affordable and accessible nutrition to Filipino families in every glass and on every plate,” they said.
