BACOLOD City – Festivalgoers can expect a vibrant display of culture, creativity, and culinary pride as the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival (BCIF) 2026 stages its Festival Dance Competition on May 30 at The Upper East by Megaworld.
Seven barangays will take center stage in a colorful celebration inspired by the diverse cultures of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
This year’s competition will feature participating barangays representing different ASEAN countries, creatively blending the story and tradition of Bacolod’s iconic chicken inasal with the music, dance, costumes, and cultural heritage of their assigned nations.
The participating barangays and their corresponding ASEAN countries are:
* Barangay 12 – Malaysia
* Barangay 3 – Singapore
* Barangay Sum-ag – Cambodia
* Barangay Granada – Timor-Leste
* Barangay Estefania – Brunei
* Barangay 2 – Myanmar
* Barangay Tangub – Thailand
According to Councilor Celia Flor, the performances will go beyond the traditional presentation of chicken inasal by incorporating artistic influences from the assigned ASEAN countries through choreography, storytelling, music, and costume design.
“The festival aims to promote cultural fusion and creative expression while celebrating Bacolod’s identity as the home of chicken inasal and highlighting the diversity and unity of ASEAN cultures,” she said.
The Bacolod City Government is set for the annual BCIF celebration, which will run from May 29 to 31, featuring cultural presentations, culinary showcases, and community-centered activities.
The three-day festival will officially open on May 29 at Manokan Country in SM City Bacolod.
Flor, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Markets, said one of the festival’s major highlights is the dance competition, which will showcase performances inspired by various Southeast Asian nations while paying tribute to Bacolod’s signature grilled chicken dish.
Aside from the dance competition, the seven participating barangays will join a grand float parade on May 30 to highlight Bacolod’s thriving chicken inasal industry and promote local food establishments.
The festival will culminate on May 31 with activities centered on the city’s signature delicacy, including a Chicken Inasal cook-off, beer-pairing sessions, and food-tasting events expected to attract both residents and tourists./PN
