The five-day Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival (BCIF) 2025 kicked off at the temporary Manokan Country at SM City Bacolod on Wednesday, May 21.
The event featured the ceremonial grilling of chicken inasal by the original 24 Manokan Country vendors, honoring the roots of the world-famous Chicken Inasal, May Castro, public relations manager of SM City Bacolod, said.
Joining the event were Bacolod vice mayor-elect Kalaw Puentevella, councilors Celia Flor and Jude Thaddeus Sayson, SM Bacolod Regional Operations Manager Jorge Jardiolin, Mall Manager Juliana Javellana, Bacolod Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili, and the Manokan Country vendors led by their president Dee Sacro.
Sacro said they expect that the events lined up by the city will draw in bigger crowds and boost sales.
The BCIF longest chicken inasal grill launch and countdown to the Piaya Festival will be held at Megaworld’s The Upper East at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
On Friday a food spreads competition will be held at the Manokan Country at SM City at 10 a.m., chicken inasal photo exhibit at Citadines Bacolod City at 1 p.m., San Miguel Beer pairing and food tasting at Ayala Malls Capitol Central at 6 p.m., SM and Megaworld food fest with nightly entertainment starting 6 p.m., and a Sugba Fest also at 6 p.m. at Ayala Malls Capitol Central.
The activities lined up for Saturday are a community run at SM City Bacolod at 5 a.m., chicken inasal grilling workshop at Manokan Country SM City – 10 a.m., sinamak and hot sauce making workshop at Ayala Malls Capitol Central – 10 a.m., sinamak workshop at the Upper East – 10 a.m.;
Chimken Lovers 2.0 at SM City Bacolod – 2 p.m., chicken inasal cook-off at Ayala Malls Capitol Central – 2 p.m., food fest with nightly entertainment at SM and Megaworld – 6:00 p.m., Sugba Fest at Ayala Malls Capitol Central – 6 p.m. and the Chicken Inasal Awards program will be held at 7 p.m. at SM City Bacolod .
On Sunday the Fire and Beats at the Manokan will be held at SM City Bacolod at 6 p.m., closing and chicken inasal arena dance competition at The Upper East – 6 p.m., Unplugged: The Voices of Bacolod City at Ayala Malls Capitol Central at 6 p.m. and the Roots Music Fest at the Upper East at 8 p.m. will cap the festival.*