Dulce Prenda

Dulce Prenda Adorada Noted cultural scholar Erlita P. Mendoza wrote in "Saga of La Naval: Triumph of a People's Faith (2007) that Capampangans are renowned devotees of Our Blessed Virgin Mary and this veneration is reflected throughout the ages in their music, embroidery, jewelry making and even in an almost extinct pastry stuffed with cundol (winter melon), carabao's milk, dayap rind, eggyolks and sugar. Likened to a lady's cameo locket this hopia- inspired capangan was distributed to the pilgrims of 18th century Bacolor, Pampanga who came to pay homage to Our Lady of La Naval. This sweet-tasting treat is a product of the hard work of the casamac (farmers) who cultured and harvested the cundol during the harsh months of September. The painstaking wood carvings of the Betis artisans prepared the wooden moulds from a design in the Virgin of La Naval's floral and leaf embroidered vestments while the poetic hearts of the composers and musicians of the "Despidida a la Virgen" from which the phrase "Dulce Prenda" (Sweet Treasure) came from this music verse: "Adios, dulce prenda adorada Dulce Prenda adorada de mi sincero amor" Enterprising folks would make these treats and peddle them to far off barrios and even to foreigners, passing them off as Kapampangan versions of the famous Chinese sweet mooncakes ("hopia" which means"good cake"while shouting "Dulce, prenda" which to them literally meant "Buy these sweets".

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