BAROY, Lanao del Norte (PIA) — The 18th Lechon Festival here featured 23 lechons (roasted pigs) dressed in various costumes, including Filipiniana, Hawaiian, and surfing attire, all made from edible and indigenous materials.
These lechons were paraded through the streets as part of the town’s 75th Araw ng Baroy celebration.
The town’s 23 barangays decorated their booths inspired by the theme “Pista sa Nayon” (Festival of the Town), highlighting Filipino culture as they showcased their lechons.
“Lami jud ang among lechon. Ginabalik-balikan jud ni sa mga tawo. Labi na sa parade, na-enjoy jud ang mga manana-aw. Nagkahiusa mi karon pa sa among lungsod,” Mayor Grelina Mantohac-Lim said.
(Our lechon is really delicious. People keep coming back for more. Especially during the parade, spectators really enjoy it. We are united in this celebration for our town.)
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Rosa Olafsson emphasized that the celebration symbolizes unity and prosperity for the town as it provides benefits to its residents.
In the competition held during the festival, Barangay Manan-ao won as the overall grand champion and took home the P20,000 cash prize along with awards for Best Booth Design and Best Physical Arrangement.
“Dako jud kaayo among pasalamat sa among nadawat karon nga award. Wala jud masayang among effort sa among pangandam. Wa ko kasabot sa akong gibati kay wa ko ga-expect nga kani nga award among gidawat. Nalipay jud kaayo mi,” Barangay Manan-ao Chairperson Josephine Cavan Ditan said.
(I am truly grateful for the award we received today. Our efforts in preparation were not in vain. I cannot express my feelings because I did not expect to receive this award. We are really happy.)
Meanwhile, Barangay Dalama gained the 1st runner-up spot and won the P15,000 cash prize, while Barangay Poblacion secured the 2nd runner-up spot and won the P10,000 cash prize and the Best Exhibit Personnel Award.
Moreover, Barangay Lindongan was awarded the Most Tasty Lechon and the Best Manglechonay (lechonero).
“In-ana gyud akong timpla. Kada lechon nako mudayeg akong mga silingan nako nga nindot daw. Upat ka oras nako gilechon na, naa ko isa ka buddy. Alas dos ko nagsugod,” Joseph Mondihan, the lechoner from Barangay Lindongan, said.
(That’s really my recipe. My neighbors always praise every lechon I cook, saying it’s good. I roasted it for four hours with someone who helped me.)
Meanwhile, Marie Elaine Unchuan, Department of Tourism-10 regional director, highlighted the development of culinary tourism and the promotion of local specialties. She also expressed admiration for Baroy’s unique Lechon Festival.
“Actually, one of the things we are developing is culinary tourism. We are happy to know that in Baroy, Lanao del Norte, there is a unique festival called the Lechon Festival. I think Baroy has the longest-running and most vibrant Lechon Festival, not only parading the lechons and showcasing the lechons but also the creativity of their people,” she said.
DOT-10 also invited international visitors from South Korea, the United States of America, Vietnam, and other countries to taste Baroy’s lechon and served as judges for the competition. These personalities also served as judges for the Philippine Coffee Roasting Competition in Cagayan de Oro City.
“It was overwhelming, but in a good way. It was amazing to taste lechon. They don’t taste the same. It is good to see all the creative, cultural aspects of what they are bringing and showing,” said Sam Choi, who served as one of the judges in the competition.
The local government aims to further promote the quality of Baroy’s lechon. They’ve also provided carts to lechon vendors, who sell them every Sunday at the market.
Moreover, according to the local government, DOT-10 also plans to conduct training that will help improve culinary tourism in Baroy, particularly focusing on lechon. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
