• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The organizer of the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival (BCIF) happening this last week of May has asked the city government for road closures, as early as May 21.
Ryan Anthony Saez, BCIF organizer/creative director, in his letter-request to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod, asked for full road closures of North Capitol Road, between Aguinaldo and Lacson streets, from 11 p.m. of May 21 to 11 a.m. of May 27; and of the Manokan Country, from 11 p.m. of May 22 to 11 a.m. of May 27.
The two festival venues, along with Megaworld’s The Upper East and Ayala Malls Capitol Central, will host an array of “carefully-curated activities lined up for the festival,” Saez said.
At SM City Bacolod, there will be a “solidarity grilling” by Manokan Country vendors on May 23, Inasal culinary battle – May 24, and the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Awards and outdoor acoustic performances – May 25.
The festival opening ceremony, as well as food tasting and beer pairing, will be held on May 24 at the North Capitol Road, with food expos and siopao-eating contests happening from May 24-26, as per the schedule posted May 12 by the organizer.
At The Upper East, activities include food expos, a piaya grilling ceremony, a retro cookout, and the BCIF closing ceremony and arena dance competition on May 26; while at the Ayala Malls, there will be a Sugba Fest for three days, outdoor acoustic performances, trade fairs, and the Brgy. Chicken Inasal Cook-Off on May 25, among others.
“This year will be another year of breaking records and creating milestones, where we will keep the successful segments from last year and create new concepts for this year that will further elevate Bacolod City and the world-renowned Chicken Inasal on the global gastro and festival scene,” Saez told the SP.
The sanggunian committees on traffic and tourism, meanwhile, accepted Saez’s letter May 8, and will decide on the request soon. | CGC
