“It is very delicious.”
This was how Igor Khovaev, ambassador of Russia to the Philippines, described the taste of the city’s finest chicken inasal after he declared the 1st Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival officially opened on Saturday, May 5, which drew crowds and highlighted the city’s food tourism.
Khovaev, along with the city officials led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Representative Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Cindy Rojas, Em Ang, Dindo Ramos and Ann Marie Palermo, City Administrator John Orola along with Department of Foreign Affairs Head Carolina Constantino, walked and enjoyed the 300-meter long of grilled chicken at Araneta Street, from Diamond Jubilee Tower towards San-Sebastian Street.
Khovaev also joined the boodle fight with the city officials, local media and the street children in the area.
The Russian envoy said it is the most delicious chicken that he had tasted in his whole life.
“I had never taste more deliciously chicken than chicken inasal of Bacolod. It is a great privilege, big honor, and pleasure to see the joy of this festival. Thank you very much for inviting me to taste the famous chicken inasal,” he said.
Khovaev promised to the Bacoleños that the Russian people will know about chicken inasal.
“I am sure that it will affect much more tourist to the beautiful city, the City of Smiles,” Khovaev said.
Leonardia said it is a big honor to have Khovaev joining the city’s first chicken inasal festival.
“What makes this event extra special is because of the presence of the Russian ambassador,” he said.
He pointed out that the most delicious chicken inasal can only be found in Bacolod City.
“This festival is to show to the world and to declare to the world that the best and original chicken inasal is from Bacolod,” the mayor said.
The City Government has provided tickets to the indigents and street children to control the crowd and it is for free.
Leonardia said they invited the street children because this festival should have a social responsibility angle.
“Thank you for all the support and to the people who made this festival successful,” he said.
Rojas, chairperson of the first Chicken Inasal Festival, said they provided about 3,000 chicken which was grilled by 25 chicken vendors in Bacolod and some of them from the Manokan Country.
She said the chicken inasal will promote the food tourism in the city.
“This is a way of showing to the world that Bacolod City has the best chicken inasal,” she added.
The festival is one of the activities in the city’s 80th anniversary celebration this year.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) also deployed about 150 personnel to ensure peace and order.
There were also several traffic enforcers.
The city officials are hopeful that by next year, they will make the longest grilled chicken.
In 2009, the city government attempted to break the world record in the longest barbeque grill.