Bacolod Fires Up Chicken Inasal Festival With ‘3,000-Stick’ Target

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The city government is aiming to grill 3,000 sticks of chicken inasal during the five-day Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival scheduled from May 21 to 25.

Councilor and Vice Mayor-elect Claudio Jesus Puentevella led the official launch Wednesday alongside Councilors Jude Thaddeus Sayson and Celia Flor, chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Market.

Also present were Dee Sacro, president of the Manokan Country Vendors’ Association Bacolod, tourism officer Teresa Manalili, SM regional operations manager George Jardiolin, and SM City Bacolod mall manager Julia Javellana.

The ceremonial grilling was held at the temporary Manokan Country site at SM City Bacolod.

Now in its fifth edition, this year’s festival carries the theme “Fire and Fusion,” which organizers describe as the grandest celebration yet.

Councilor Flor said the theme reflects a blend of traditional grilling and culinary innovation, aligning with Bacolod’s evolving food culture.

The Department of Tourism-Western Visayas supported the theme, saying “Fire” honors the smoky, open-flame cooking method, while “Fusion” embraces creative flavors influenced by global trends.

A budget of PHP1.25 million was allocated for the event, backed by corporate sponsors.

Organizers aim to highlight chicken inasal not just as a dish but as a cultural symbol of Bacolod’s identity.

All 24 Manokan Country tenants participated in the launch, despite the temporary site’s challenges, including heat and occasional flooding.

Sacro said she hopes the festival will attract more customers, adding that SM and the city government have promised to install extended canopies for better customer service.

The original Manokan Country site, located in Barangay 12 across from the temporary site, will soon undergo a PHP4-billion redevelopment.

Construction is set to begin in June and is expected to be completed within 18 months, according to Flor.

Javellana said chicken inasal is more than a local favorite—it is a cultural emblem of Bacolod’s history.

She recalled its roots in the 1970s along Cuadra Street before finding a permanent home at Manokan Country, now a city landmark.

She added that hosting the festival reflects SM City Bacolod’s commitment to honoring heritage while embracing change.

The revitalization project aims to preserve and elevate Manokan Country, keeping its legacy alive at the heart of a modern Bacolod.

Festival activities include cook-offs, tastings, cultural shows, dance competitions, and an Inasal-Inspired Street and Arena Dance Competition among seven barangays.

Additional events will be held at Upper East Megaworld and Ayala Malls Capitol Central.

A total of 276 police officers have been deployed to maintain peace and order throughout the event.

The Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival began in 2018 but was paused for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It returned in 2023, where 70 vendors grilled 3,000 chicken inasals along a 320-meter stretch in an attempt to break the world record for the longest chicken grilling line.