Amidst all the religious activities during the Holy Week in Santa Barbara, there's one "activity" that brings everyone together despite religion or beliefs. It's the decades-old tradition of " pamingka in the plaza " during Semana Santa. I remember the days when these bingka are only available during Lent that we consume all the bingkas we can since it will be another year when we will get to taste these rice cakes. And it's always a family affair on both sides - whether your family cooks and makes them or just the one who drops by and buy and enjoy it in the plaza. During this time the whole plaza is filled with " bingka picnickers" - with paperbags of hot-off-the-oven bingka and drinks. It's exudes a food festival ambiance without the tables and chairs as everybody just content themselves sitting on the benches and on grass. With a well-lighted plaza, this bingka happy-hour starts from late afternoon until late evening espec...