Bacolod fires up Chicken Inasal Festival

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The sixth Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival officially opened Friday at SM City Bacolod, highlighting the city’s world-famous chicken inasal and rich culinary heritage under the theme “Inasal City.”

Mayor Greg Gasataya said the festival serves as a tribute to Manokan Country vendors and reflects the city’s culinary identity.

“It’s a way of showing appreciation and support to all Manokan vendors,” he added.

He noted that chicken inasal is synonymous with Bacolod.

“This showcases the taste of Bacolod,” he said.

Gasataya encouraged residents and visitors to support local culinary artists and enjoy the dish that continues to unite Bacolodnons.

Bacolod Rep. and Deputy House Speaker Alfredo “Albee” Benitez described the festival as more than a food celebration, saying it showcases the city’s culture, creativity, and the hardworking people behind Bacolod’s iconic grilled chicken industry.

SM regional operations manager George Jardiolin said the event honors grill masters, Manokan stall owners, culinary artists, local entrepreneurs, and communities that have carried the legacy of chicken inasal through time.

Among this year’s highlights are unlimited chicken inasal offerings, the first cookfest in the Negros Island Region, and the inaugural grand chicken inasal parade featuring colorful floats from popular inasal establishments.

The three-day festival will also feature a cook-off among schools, a barangay street dance competition at Megaworld Upper East, and the Festival Dance on May 30.

Participating barangays in the Festival Dance will represent different Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries through performances inspired by their own chicken inasal stories.

An elevated food tasting and beer pairing event in partnership with San Miguel Beer will cap the celebration on May 31 at Ayala Malls Capitol Central.

Participating chefs will present curated chicken inasal dishes paired with various San Miguel Beer products.

Participants in the Festival Dance are Barangay 12, representing Malaysia; Barangay 3, Singapore; Barangay Sum-ag, Cambodia; Barangay Granada, Timor-Leste; Barangay Estefania, Brunei; Barangay 2, Myanmar; and Barangay Tangub, Thailand.

Contingents for the cook-off are Barangay Mandalagan, representing Timor-Leste; Barangay Vista Alegre, Thailand; Barangay Mansilingan, Cambodia; Barangay Banago, Myanmar; Barangay Mansilingan, Laos; Barangay 12, Malaysia; Culinary Arts of First Academy, Indonesia; University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Malaysia; VMA Global College and Training Centers Inc., Myanmar; STI West Negros University-Bacolod, Cambodia; University of St. La Salle Center for LifeSkills, Timor-Leste; USLS CTH Culinary Team, Brunei; and La Consolacion College Bacolod, Singapore.

The festival was first launched in 2018, paused for three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and revived in 2023.

Last year’s edition was held at the temporary Manokan Country site at the SM City Bacolod north parking lot following the relocation of tenants affected by the PHP 4 billion redevelopment project between the city government and SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Jardiolin said the redevelopment project experienced delays because of rising fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East but assured the public that SM Prime Holdings remains committed to completing the project.