Councilor suggests Pacman presence on 'Inasal Festival'
BACOLOD CITY -- Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Alex Paglumotan, chair of the 1st Manokan Chicken Inasal Festival, yesterday said that he would ask Mayor Evelio Leonardia to request boxing hero Manny Pacquiao to grace the festival from May 15 to May 20, 2009.
Paglumotan said the festival site at reclamation area is now prepared and all the kiosks are now ready for rental for all interested chicken inasal vendors here in the city of Bacolod.
He explained that on May 10, 2009, they will launch a soft opening of the "Welcome Arc" which is being constructed at the reclamation area. Paglumotan already sent out letters to various businessmen and organizations who are willing to join the "Grand Opening Parade" at 3:00 pm on May 15, 2009 from the New Government Center to the festival site which is the Reclamation Area.
He also announced that the highlight of this event which will be on May 19, 2009 to showcase the "longest chicken inasal grill" will be attended by Senator Francisco "Chiz" Escudero as guest of honor.
"I am seeking to the Mayor if he could invite Manny Pacquiao to grace this affair which is his major project," Paglumotan said. He reiterated that the purpose of holding this big event is to revive the economic climate at the Manokan Country and to recognize important people behind the establishment of Manokan Country in l983 like former Mayor Jose "Digoy" Montalvo, former Congressman John Orola and former Councilor Babes Estrella.
"We are expecting all Bacoleños to cooperate in this affair since our purpose here is to bolster our Ilonggo taste of native chicken inasal which is now popular all over the country,” Paglumotan added.
He denied reports that the city government appropriated P4.8 million to spend for the activity. Paglumotan said that the city only invested P500,000 and not P4.8 million as alleged by other political groups to discredit the activity.
"It is much better to help the success of this affair rather than criticizing and making it appear that the city will spend too much on this," Paglumotan lamented. He considered this affair as historical because this is the first time in the history of the city to showcase our "native chicken inasal" which is now very popular elsewhere in the country.