SILAY FOOD FEAST and CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE IN ART

EXPLORING KAON FESTIVAL! 
SILAY FOOD FESTIVAL 2024 at BALAY NEGRENSE

When we went to KAON TA! Silay Food Festival, everything seems relaxed. People were chatting and enjoying great food and drinks from local sources. Well, not only there's acoustic music and songs being belted at a open air event but also the place itself breathes essential history. Just beside the festival is the BALAY NEGRENSE and also the Cinco de Noviembre street.

KAON TA! Sila Food Festival at Balay Negrense in SIlay's Cinco de Noviembre street (VIDEO)

KAON TA! is an event not only just for eating though. Going around the place, you will see art alive. There are local artist selling their crafts as well as kids yearning to have their face painted. There are also Cinco de Noviembre coloring books being sold for P500 and it's limited edition. 

Al Cinco de Noviembre History through Art (VIDEO)

We got to see also a group of antique collectors who also sell rare stuff from Jollibee toys of yesteryears to Spanish era cabinets to obsolete Nokia phones which, by the way, are still working. These guys knew that there is money in a supposedly junk pieces or garbage to some. Memorable scenes included a sorbetero beside a Negrense-pride famous alcoholic drink Don Papa's tropical-themed booth. Ice cream and a spirit-filled beveage doesn't mix but they have one thing in common - a living heritage

Mcdonald's Silay

And speaking of heritage, Silay has great amounts of it and it makes the night in the city romantic. You're like a traveler lost in time. Caught between two timelines. The remnants of past is too strong to ignore.  s you roam around the city in a fiesta week, you'll be amazed how the old Spanish era-structures can still accommodate modern buildings and business such as McDonald's which utilizes one of the buildings beside the Plaza.

Jollibee Silay

Meanwhile, Jollibee Silay designed its store in line with Silay's heritage rules, it's a respect to the living traditions every Silaynon and Negrense knew. Well, when passing in Silay when we were still kids it's like we are traveling to a portal of Spanish rule. Indeed, the romantic and nostalgic feeling you'll feel in Silay gives respect to the now popular line: Silay is the Paris of Negros.

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TRAVEL TIPS

HOW TO GET TO SILAY (From Bacolod)

1. Ride a Bata-Libertad Jeepney that will bring you to Bacolod North Terminal 

2. Options:
You can either Ride a Ceres Bus or a Silay-Bacolod Jeepney 


HOW TO GET BACK TO BACOLOD from SILAY:
- Wait for a Ceres Bus going to Bacolod at a Loading/Unloading Area in Silay 

LECHON :MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH

 LECHON de LECHE: 
THE PHILIPPINE'S NATIONAL DISH 
AND THE CRISPIEST OF THEM ALL 

The word lechon is actually a loan word from a Spanish term "piglet". And actually, it was the Spanish who introduced this tasty dish that Filipinos come to love and made as a national dish. Despite all regional cuisines winning palates of many Pinoys, still Lechon is the fairest of all.

Video of Roasting lechons for commercial quantity

Lechon is expected to be crispy, crunchy and delicious (with the wow factor at first bite.) In some variants, it should have that lemon grass taste to it that captures your senses at once and eating the inner meat should have that soft melting feeling in your mouth. That oily feeling when that crispy skin lands in your mound is heaven and adding to is the crunchy sound it makes.
Lechon's cooking producer is one of the most painstaking thing for people who wanted to try roasting a big pig. Though the pig is domesticated, it can really go insane when it felt something's amiss. That's why it needs two or more people to ease the challenges of doing this Philippines' Spanish-inspired culinary pride from start to finish. 

The pros slaughter the pig early in the morning because they knew lechon making requires a lot of time. There's a calculated time for each process from cleaning to slicing and putting ingredients and roasting. It should be done before the the occasion starts if there's family event and it should be done much earlier before the lechon seller opens his shop.
Not only that it requires time, but also it requires the proper cooking for the reach desired crispiness and delicious taste by controlling  the charcoal heat.  

And the tradition of having a lechon during fiesta is really a Filipino heritage worth noting. For most fiesta guests, lechon will be the highlight of the host's table. 
But tradition has evolved. Now lechon meat can be bought in kilos. Well, it's the result of economics. 

Some chose to order smaller pigs like the Cebu lechon that is spicier than the classic (original). There are also small lechons with seafood mix.
As a national dish it is not only eaten during fiestas but some families, see to it, that lechon is ever present during Christmas parties, birthdays, anniversaries and more occasions. After all, for the modern Filipinos, having a lechon during occasions, is a symbol of success or a celebration of life.

HELPFUL TIPS for COOKING LECHON:
1. Utilize White Vinegar: This chemical effect of white vinegar on pig's skin can help achieve a perfect crust

2. Achieve Desired Crispiness: To make lechon extra crispy, you can rub eual parts of salt and baking soda on the meat and let it sit for at least 8 hours. This takes out moisture. After this process, rinse off the baking soda with vinegar. 

3. Baste: Baste the lechon using a mixture of milk and soy sauce, this process will make the skin darker in color and flavorful.

Lechon is a slow-roasted pork dish that originated in Spain. The traditional lechon is made with a suckling pig that is 2–6 weeks old, but modern lechon can be made with pigs of various sizes. Aside from the Philippines, lechon is also a cultural  dish favorite in countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Portugal (Mostly former spanish colonies)

MASSKARA Street Dance Highlight (with video and results of winners)

 A RESOUNDING SUCCESS?

MASSKARA FESTIVAL DANCE PARADE

Sunday was an exciting day for Bacolod. Foreign and local tourists came in droves to witness the ever-colorful and  energy-filled Bacolod MassKara Festival. The 2024 edition was almost marred by Typhoon Kristine and another Typhoon named Leo. But somehow, luck was with the organizers on this fateful day. So, even me, with camera on hand, went to witness a historic parade in the downtown area of the City of Smiles (see video below) 

Video of the Dance Parade along Araneta St. Bacolod City. 

Of course, it was crowded. Parents were happy to bring their little ones as a bonding, a scene that is symbolic and as old as MassKara Festival itself. In the 80s, when the festival was born. Many flocked to the same area and parents with their little ones were in tow. They were piggybacking so they can see clearly the parade. And those little kids in the 80s are now grandparents or parents themselves and they continue the legacy the event has brought to families who wanted to enjoy and bond.

Foreigners were also enjoying the day full of fun and sun. I saw some foreigners dancing together with the MassKara performers. It means, they feel the cultural heritage and the meaning of the event which actually was created because of the sugar industry crisis and the sinking of M/V Don Juan in the 80s. 
However, perfomers and organizers look forward to the future as they wanted Bacolod to reach the Super City status as the city. Thus, their theme and concept for their dance portray the positive side and what the government had achieved. Like right now, the city is experiencing a massive development in infrastructure and business opportunities, a reality that was impossible to think of in the past.  

As usual the performers have to compete at the street before moving to Paglaum Stadium for the Grand Arena competition. Supporters, sponsors and dancers have to walk along Araneta street through   thousands of crowds are applauding the dances. The competition, which was broadcast live in social media, ended with a spectacular drone light show and fireworks.  

Brgy Granada was declared the CHAMPION. The win marked a second three-peat for Granada after taking the titles in 2022 and 2023 as well as in 2014, 2015, and 2016

RESULTS  of the MASSKARA FESTIVAL 2024 
STREET DANCE AND ARENA COMPETITON

CHAMPION - BARANGAY Granada - 1,000,000

ADDITIONAL PRIZES sa CHAMPION BARANGAY

BINGOPLUS - 50,000

PLAYMAX- 30,000

BELLA EVE WINES SOUTH AUSTRALIA - 15,000

1st Runner-Up – Barangay Bata (P500,000)

2nd Runner-Up – Barangay 12 (P300,000)

SPECIAL AWARDS

TODO na DITO Champion - 100,000 - Barangay Granada

Pillar of MassKara Festival - 10,000 - Segundo Cabalcar Jr.

MINOR AWARDS

Best in Music - 25,000 - Barangay Granada

Best Theme and Concept 25,000 - Barangay Granada

Best Mask and Costume 25,000 - Barangay Granada

BYH Choice Award - 15,000 - Barangay Granada