• CHERYL G. CRUZ
This year’s Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival officially kicked off May 21, with a solidarity grilling at SM’s Manokan Country, participated in by city officials, mall executives, and inasal vendors.
The symbolic event underscored the historic role of Manokan Country in popularizing chicken inasal and cementing its place in the cultural and culinary identity of Bacolod, the mall management had said.
The festival until May 25 spans three activity sites: SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and Megaworld’s The Upper East, with the cultural heart remaining at Manokan, where all-week grilling of chicken inasal and other local dishes are expected to draw in crowds of locals and tourists alike, it added.
The spotlight will also shine bright this Saturday, May 24, during the grand Awards Night at SM Bacolod Atrium, honoring outstanding performers, contributors, and partners of this year’s festival.
Organized by the city government, through the Bacolod City Tourism Office (BCTO), headed by Ma. Teresa Manalili, the event, starting at 7 p.m., is in partnership with official event coordinator Headrush.
Awards include the Chicken Inasal Cook-Off trophies for winners in the barangay and student categories; the People’s Choice Award, which will be given to the nominee with the highest score, based on comments on the Bacolod City Tourism Office Facebook page, as voted under the “Best Inasal in Bacolod” post;
The Gastrobuzz Award, to honor food establishments with outstanding service and culinary excellence; and the Tourism Choice Awards and Ambassador of Bacolod Tourism, in recognition of exemplary partners in promoting tourism in the city, the BCTO said in a press release May 21.
Special recognition will also be given to Councilor Celia Flor, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Markets, for her invaluable support to the festival, it added.
The much-awaited Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival (BCIF) arena dance competition awards will be presented after the performances on May 25 at The Upper East.
“These awards represent the spirit of unity, talent, and local pride that define Bacolod’s vibrant cultural scene,” the tourism office said, adding that the festival, on the theme “Fire and Fusion”, continues to be a proud celebration of food, creativity, and community. | CGC
