Magalang, Pampanga, known as the "Sweet Tamarind Capital of the Philippines," is proud to feature a variety of innovative products made from tamarind.

From tamarind chips to tamarind ice cream and wine, the town has turned its sweet tamarind into a local sensation.

The town's tamarind growers, particularly those producing the "Aglibut Sweet" variety, collaborate with a local university, local government units (LGU), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to create these unique products.

"‘Yung mga products po na iyon ay nanggagaling po sa mga local farmers po natin. Ang mga sources po natin ay sa mga local farmers po natin mula sa kanilang inani," Julius Manabat, focal person for the LGU-Magalang, said.

"And from there po, our tamarind RDE po is well equipped po to produce po ng mga by-products," Manabat added.

Local tamarind farmers say the fruit is easy to grow, as it doesn’t rely on specific weather conditions.

"Pag rainy season kasi, pag patapos na yung mga gulay, so magha-harvest tayo tag-init na. Tapos kapag tag-init, wala kang maitatanim, walang nabubuhay, so yung sampaloc lang ang matigas income," Enrico Passion, a local tamarind farmer, said.

Aside from boosting local income, tamarind also helps address flooding and landslide concerns, the top two hazards in Magalang.