Mindanaotoday.com | Indigay sa Iligan Lechon returns after 6 years
By: Lou Ellen Antonio
ILIGAN CITY – The city here staged the Indigay sa Iligan Lechon (Competition for Iligan Roasted Pigs) after six years to showcase and promote the tasty local roasted pig.
The competition was participated in by 10 lechonerous or businessmen engaged in the sale of roasted pig.
Councilor Marlene Young, chair of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry, was elated that the lechoneros supported the event.
She emphasized that the lechon in the city must be promoted.
[We should be proud of the lechon sa Iligan because we know this is one of the best lechons in the entire Philippines. We must promote it because this is also one of our tourist attractions here.]
Meanwhile, Mayor Frederick Siao underscored that the event manifests the cooperation and collaboration between the government and the stakeholders.
“Kinahanglan nato ipromote unsa kalami ang lechon sa Iligan. In behalf of the city, ako magpasalamat kaninyong tanan sa inyong kooperation ug presensya,” he said.
[We need to promote how good lechon is in Iligan. On behalf of the city, I thank you all for your cooperation and presence.]
The lechoneros vied for two awards, namely “Best Tasting Lechon” and “Best Lechon Booth” which portrays the Fiesta sa Bayan [Town Festival] theme.
Jaime’s Lechon Bayug bagged the “Best Tasting Lechon” award and won P15,000 followed by Eljay Food Hub and Lalang’s Lechon House which won P8,000 and P5,000 respectively.
Meanwhile, Eljae’s Food Hub won the Best Booth Category with P15,000 prize followed by Ekay’s Lechon House and Jaime’s Lechon Bayug which won P7,000 and P5,000, respectively.
Local officials and residents also feasted on tasty lechons as 400 meal coupons were given for free.
“2010 nidaog mi, after that one wala na mi mupail, until karon napod. Two times niapil mi two times pod mi nakadaog. Sadly, akong lola passed away last 2020, we also dedicate this win sa iyaha,” said Mark James Sabitago of Jaime’s Lechon Bayug.
[In 2010 we won. After that, we didn’t participate, until now. We participated in the competition twice and we won twice. Our grandmother died in 2020, this is dedicated to her.]
Meanwhile, Jo Marie Delos Reyes of Peping’s Lechon House, said that their recipe is unique because of its juicy and tasty meat.
“Bahalag walay sauce, lami sya. Juicy jud ang among lechon, maskin sa panit lang,” she said.
[Without sauce, this is delicious. Our lechon is juicy, the skin is very tasty.]
She also said that they sell cheaper lechon now as they no longer pay for rent. Thirty kilos of lechon is worth P7,000 while P6,900 for 25 kilos.
Moreover, Maria Cherisha Calunod of Calunod Lechon House said their lechon is filled with a lot of species that make it tasty.
She said they inherited the business from their parents which started in 1971.
They have joined for five years and bagged first place two times in 2011 and 2019.
The competition is just one of the major highlights of the month-long celebration of Diyandi Festival in honor of the patron saint Sr. San Miguel. (LELA | PIA-10 | Lanao del Norte)
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