BACOLOD City – This city has been named grand winner for Best Event Hosting: Local Event in the Highly Urbanized City (HUC) category for its Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival during the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards at the 26th ATOP National Convention held October 2 at Hotel Supreme Mall & Events Center, Baguio City.
According to the Bacolod Tourism Development Office, the recognition is a testament to the “unwavering passion, creativity, and unity of the Bacolodnon spirit” that continues to shine through the city’s world-renowned festivals.
Receiving the award on behalf of the city were Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili, Tourism Officers Meneil Lopez-Poquiz and Darlwin Sales, along with Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 Chief Tourism Operations Officer for Tourism Regulations, Jennylind Cordero.
The Tourism Office also credited the support of City Mayor Greg Gasataya and Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez for making the award possible.
The Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival is celebrated annually every May through City Ordinance No. 847, which amended City Ordinance No. 482 that originally named it the Manokan Country Inasal Festival.
Meanwhile, the city’s world-famous MassKara Festival also brought home honors, winning first runner-up for Best Cultural Festival in the HUC level./PN
