CLARK FREEPORT – The town of Magalang may just claim the coveted Sweet Tamarind Capital of the Philippines after the stagnation of the multimillion peso industry for a few years.
Former Magalang mayor Malu Paras-Lacson said she will push for the revival of the industry once elected into office again. She is seeking another shot at the mayorship after a heartbreaking loss by a mere 27 votes in 2019.
“I never heard of it (industry) anymore but during our time, we were trying to gain the title Tamarind Capital of the Philippines,” Lacson said.
She was guest during “Balitaan”, a kapihan of the Capampangan in Media Inc in cooperation with Clark Development Corp.
“Even in its raw form, it is in demand. What more if we can market it?,” she added.
She recalls already forging a partnership with Pampanga State Agriculture University (PSAU) several years ago and had already produced vinegar and soap. Tamarind is widely known also for candies as produced in Thailand.
She said that during her incumbency as Mayor from 2016, Magalang had planted 15,000 tamarind which can yield fruits in five years.
Magalang is known for its Aglibot variety, named after the consultant professor at PSAU who developed the clonal seedling. The Aglibot fruits are slightly curved with an average weight of 21.04 grams, moderately sweet, moderately juicy, dark brown flesh, and high edible portion. It has a spreading growth habit and can produce an average 45 kg a year at the height of its fruit bearing stage.
The sweet tamarind of Magalang has prominently figured on national TV shows. Abe’s Farm, a resort at the foothills of Mt. Arayat run by a restaurant chain, offers a tamarind fruit shake in its menu.
