This festival originates back in the Spanish Era where the people of San Mateo Rizal offer kakanin (native rice delicacies) as a sign of prayer and thanksgiving to the Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu.

Back in the days, San Mateo Rizal was surrounded by rice fields which is their main industry and source of income. Thru this abundant resources, cooking kakanin had been a part of every rizaleneos life.

At present, different industry had sprung up in the city such as poultry and livestock, but still, San mateo Rizal holds firm to their specialty, the kakanin.

Bibingka and Suman are the city’s best bet when it comes to their kakanin. It is still their specialty and can be seen being sold in the market place and around the city proper. These sweet snacks represents the people’s culture and history. Preparations for the said desserts are participated by the entire family and is still cooked the old fashioned way.

During the Parada ng kakanin (Parade of rice cakes), old men and women brought Bibingka, Suman, Cassava cake and Kutsinta which they distributed among the people on the streets and as offering to the Nuestra as part of the festival.

Street dancing, band playing, and beautiful men and women parade the busy streets this year.

Around 50-60 groups participated in the parade. Among them are 15 public schools, 15 barangays, different establishments, the church and other organizations.

Parada ng kakanin is an annual event that is celebrated every 9^th day of September. The event was organized by the church with the assistance of the mayor and the tourism council. This year San Mateo Rizal celebrated their parada ng kakanin on its 303^rd year.

Aside from this event, San Mateo Rizal is worth the visit for their popular 9 Waves Resort; an overlook of the city in the Earth Heaven park; or enjoy the soft mountain breeze in the garden plant in Timberland located on top of the mountain.