Drinks were limited to “sago’t gulaman,” “ginumis” and lemongrass coolers. Mr. Duterte told about 1,000 guests at the food festival that he was no stranger to Kapampangan cuisine.

It was epic, the foodies say, as busloads of tourists and hungry diners convened to this full service restaurant daily to sample Kapampangan ... sago’t gulaman, halo-halo, among others.