AT LEAST 24 tenants of Manokan Country joined the ceremonial grilling during the opening of the Chicken Inasal Festival at the SM City Manokan grounds on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Councilor Celia Matea Flor, chairperson of the City Council committee on markets, said the 24 tenants, who earlier transferred to the SM City Manokan grounds, also joined the longest grilling on Thursday, May 22.
The grilled chicken will be distributed to the city's beneficiaries, including the St. Vincent Senior Citizen, Boys Home and Girls Home, and other charitable institutions in Bacolod.
She said the city will distribute at least 500 grilled chickens to the identified charitable institutions.
Flor noted that this year, the city has allocated P1.2 million for the celebration of the festival, with the theme “Fire & Fusion.”
The city's festival sites include SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and The Upper East, Megaworld.
Dee Sacro, president of the Manokan Country Vendors Association, said that without Manokan Country, there would be no Chicken Inasal Festival to celebrate.
“Manokan is where it all began," she said.
Julia Javellana, SM City Mall manager, said this celebration not only honors Bacolod City’s rich culinary heritage but also showcases the vibrant spirit of the community.
She said that from its humble beginnings along Cuadra Street in the 1970s, inasal found its home in what has become one of the city’s most iconic landmarks — Manokan Country.
"For decades, Manokan Country has stood as a flavorful reminder of who we are, a gathering place where families meet, friendships are forged, and traditions are passed down over plates of perfectly grilled chicken. It’s a space deeply woven into the everyday lives of Bacolodnons and into the very soul of our city's she added.
Javellana stressed that the revitalization of the city's iconic landmark is on the way to ensure that Manokan Country continues to thrive in the heart of modern Bacolod — not just preserved, but uplifted, with its spirit and legacy at the forefront of progress.
Javellana noted that SM City Bacolod has become more than a venue — it has become a vibrant hub for events that honor both tradition and transformation.
"We are proud to host this celebration in a space that welcomes the fusion of old and new," Javellana said.
This year’s expanded lineup includes exciting events like the longest grill fest, cooking competitions, grilling workshops, and showcases of sauces, dips, and spreads.
There will also be photo exhibits, top chef creations, concerts, and nightly entertainment at all major venues throughout the week, featuring Bacolod’s finest local bands.
In addition to the food and entertainment, the festival will feature community-oriented events such as a fun run and pet showcases, offering something for every member of the family.
The celebration culminates on May 25 with two major highlights: the Chicken Inasal Awards at SM City Bacolod, honoring culinary excellence, and the electrifying Chicken Inasal Dance Arena Competition at The Upper East, continuing the tradition of vibrant street dance and cultural pride.
The celebration was also attended by Councilors Claudio Puentevella and Jude Thaddeus Sayson; SM Bacolod Regional Operations Manager Jorge Jardiolin; and Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili.
The first Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival was held in 2018, with the participation of various chicken vendors in the city. (MAP)