Atching Lillian's kitchen in Mexico
In an ancestral house in Mexico's Parian, one of the masters of Kapampangan cooking feeds groups and sells San Nicolas cookies.
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Discover Pampanga Editors · October 2026

Photo: CNEcija12345 on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA · via Wikimedia Commons
Lilian Lising-Borromeo, Atching Lillian to almost everyone, is one of the leading keepers of Kapampangan cuisine. Her kitchen is in an ancestral house in Barangay Parian, Mexico, once owned by Doña Maura Hizon-Lorenzano.
A meal by appointment
Kusinang Matua is not a walk-in restaurant. Meals must be booked ahead for groups of at least ten and come as a buffet with a cooking demonstration by Atching Lillian herself.
Cookies for everyone
Walk-ins can still leave with something: her San Nicolas cookies, the arrowroot shortbread pressed with the image of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, sold in boxes of twelve. Mexico blesses and shares them on September 10, the Sanikulas Festival.
Combine a visit with our Parian heritage walk.
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General Maximino Hizon of Mexico
The Mexico-born general who led Kapampangan revolutionaries, refused to swear loyalty to the US and died in exile on Guam.
Things to do nearby
Attractions
Mexico Public Market
Town market on Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Parian, in the heart of Mexico's old commercial district.
Attractions
Maximino Hizon Monument
Monument to General Maximino Hizon, Mexico's revolutionary hero who died in exile in Guam in 1901.
Attractions
Bale Mi (Sandico Ancestral House)
The Sandico family's 1827 colonial house in Parian, now an events venue open Monday to Saturday.
Where to eat nearby
Bakeries
Dandy's San Nicolas Cookies
Mexico bakery known for San Nicolas cookies, buttery arrowroot shortbread pressed with the image of the saint.
Bakeries
Kusinang Matua
Atching Lillian Borromeo's reservation-only heirloom Kapampangan kitchen in her ancestral home in Mexico.
Where to stay nearby
Budget Stays
Hotel Sogo Mexico, Pampanga
Budget short-stay hotel of the Hotel Sogo chain on Jose Abad Santos Avenue, across from SM Pampanga.