ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) – Residents of Sultan Kudarat gathered for the inaugural “Halal Lechon Baka Festival” at the capitol grounds in Isulan on June 18.
In celebration of Eid’l Adha, attendees indulged in over 50 whole heads of lechon baka (roast beef), meticulously prepared in accordance with halal standards.
Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu emphasized the festival’s significance in fostering unity among diverse communities.
“Sa pag-gunita natin ng Halal Lechon Festival, ito sana ay isang paraan to remind us to eat and dine as one family. Iba-iba man ang ating katayuan sa buhay, paniniwala, o tribo, all of us have to stand as one united family under God,” Mangudadatu said.
(As we celebrate the Halal Lechon Festival, it may remind us to eat and dine as one family. Regardless of our status in life, belief, or tribe, we must all be one united family under God.)
“This is our sincere act to unite our people, to feed the poor at para maramdaman nila na [and for them to feel that] despite the differences in life, we can all eat and dine together as one family,” he added.
Mangudadatu also underscored the festival’s role in promoting halal tourism, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision to tap into the growing international halal market.
“Ang ating President Bongbong Marcos, noong pumunta siya ng Brunei, ang kanyang dala-dala na i-advocate niya para sa Muslim world ay dito sa Pilipinas, we are muslim-friendly, there is halal tourism, and we truly empower halal,” Mangudadatu conveyed.
(When our President Bongbong Marcos visited Brunei, he brought with him the message to the Muslim world—the Philippines—that we are Muslim-friendly, we have halal tourism, and we truly support halal.)
“Ang maganda sa halal, kapag sinabing halal, pwede sa Muslim, pwede sa Christian, pwede sa lumad. Ibig sabihin, acceptable sa lahat,” he explained.
(The benefit of halal is its universal acceptance among Muslims, Christians, and locals. That means it is acceptable to everyone.)
Meanwhile, the provincial government announced that the festival will now be an annual event, enjoining the municipalities to stage their own Halal Lechon Baka Festival every Eid’l Adha.
“We’re thinking of bringing it down to municipal level na simultaneous celebration. Ito po ay pagspread ng love and understanding. Dahil ang ating paniniwala, Eid’l Adha is not only for the Muslims kaya we wanted it to be open to everyone,” the governor pointed out.
(We’re thinking of bringing it down to the municipal level for a simultaneous celebration. We aim to spread love and understanding through this celebration because we believe that Eid’l Adha is not only for Muslims; we wanted the festival to be open to everyone.)
Eid’l Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the main holidays for Muslims. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to obey God’s command. (ORVR – PIA Sultan Kudarat)
