Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival Earns P2.4M Despite Rain

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival 2025 drew thousands of visitors and generated PHP 2.4 million in revenue over five days, defying intermittent rains that swept the city during the event.

According to the Bacolod City Tourism Office, this year’s earnings surpassed 2023’s PHP 1.9 million and 2024’s PHP 1.8 million, marking the festival’s highest income to date.

Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili said the festival’s success reflects both the resilience and pride of the local community.

“We will do our best to make the BCIF even bigger in the years to come,” Manalili said. “We hope to secure the support of the stakeholders. The festival is a celebration of our identity and pride.”

Held from May 21 to 25, the festival spotlighted Bacolod’s globally acclaimed chicken inasal through culinary competitions, cultural performances and community-driven events.

Venues included The Upper East by Megaworld, SM City Manokan Country and Ayala Malls Capitol Central, each transformed into hubs of local flavor and cultural pride.

A centerpiece event, the BCIF Arena Dance Competition, featured seven barangays in a vibrant fusion of choreography and heritage.

Dancers donned international-inspired costumes while weaving Bacolod’s inasal tradition into their routines, energizing crowds and celebrating the city’s cultural tapestry.

The festival also hosted cooking workshops, food fests with nightly entertainment, the San Miguel Beer Pairing and Tasting Night, and the BCIF Chicken Inasal Cook-Off.

Photography also had its moment, with Citadines Bacolod City presenting a Chicken Inasal Photo Exhibit Competition that chronicled the dish’s deep community roots.

Beyond festivities, the BCIF upheld its tradition of community giving.

About 500 beneficiaries from local shelters and care institutions received hot meals and chicken inasal, including St. Vincent’s Home for the Aged, St. Ezekiel Monastery and the Bacolod Girls and Boys Home.

Mayor Alfredo Albee Benitez led the city government’s efforts through the Bacolod City Tourism Office, in collaboration with events firm Headrush Events.

City officials including Councilors Celia Flor, Jason Villarosa, Claudio Puentevella and Thaddy Sayson lent crucial support and presence throughout the event.

“Despite the weather, the spirit of Bacolod burned brighter than ever,” said an official statement from the tourism office.

The Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival, now a pillar of the city’s cultural calendar, continues to promote local enterprise, culinary identity and community unity.