Talisay celebrates 1st Lechon Festival

More than 100 roasted pigs, some dressed in costumes like long gowns, wigs, even bikinis, were paraded around Talisay City yesterday afternoon as part of the first Lechon Festival in Cebu.

The Lechon Festival is the highlight of the fiesta in honor of the city's patron, Santa. Teresa de Avila.

The parade started at the South Coastal Road in barangay San Isidro and ended at the bridge fronting the new Talisay City Hall where the pigs were displayed on a long table, to be eaten by their respective contingents.

Councilor Shirley Belleza, the overall chairwoman of the festival, said that there are 117 participating contingents from the different sectors including in the national and local agencies participated in the affair.

Belleza said they got overwhelming support from Talisaynons as they witnessed the first ever festival which aims to enshrine its almost 60-year history of distinctive lechon-making.

"When Talisaynons believe, they will support," Belleza said.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who witnessed the event, said it was an "amazing show of cooperation and unity among Talisaynons" as she congratulated the city officials for their promotion of tourism in Cebu.

Mayor Socrates Fernandez believes the festival is the starting point to unravel of cultural and productive product of Talisay where their livelihood like inasal-making will boost.

"This is one way of uplifting the city's livelihood," Fernandez said.

The parade was followed by a fireworks display and a free concert as well as the inasal street kumbira. - Garry B. Lao