The sizzling spirit of Bacolod shone bright as the city officially launched the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival (BCIF) Grill Fest at The Upper East, led by Councilor Celia Flor, Councilor Jason Villarosa, and Ma. Teresa Manalili, Chief Tourism Operations Officer on Thursday.
The event, which showcased Bacolod’s famed culinary flair, also welcomed guests from the Department of Tourism (DOT) and key executives from Megaworld Corporation.
According to a press release, the event brought together a wide array of grilling stations lined up along a continuous stretch at The Upper East. It features iconic local offerings such as the piaya grill by Bong Bong’s, alongside a variety of chicken and other grilled food concessionaires.
Gracing the opening ceremony was OIC Undersecretary Milagros Say of the DOT, along with officials from both the Central Office and regional offices across Visayas and Mindanao. These included regional directors and assistant regional directors who were in Bacolod for a concurrent seminar and training initiative. Their presence added prestige and support to the celebration, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration in tourism development.
On the private sector side, Megaworld Corporation showed its full support through the presence of its top Visayas leadership. In attendance were Jennifer Palmares-Fong, First Vice President for Sales and Marketing of Megaworld Visayas; Christine Yusingco-Torre, General Manager of Megaworld Lifestyle Mall; and Jogie Video, Township Director of Megaworld Visayas.
BCIF was organized by the Bacolod City Government through the Bacolod City Tourism Office, with co-partners SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and The Upper East by Megaworld, all coming together to ignite this gastronomic festival.
The BCIF Grill Fest not only celebrates local cuisine and culture but also underscores Bacolod City’s position as a growing tourism hub in the region. This event exemplifies the power of strong public-private partnerships in shaping unforgettable visitor experiences.*
