MANILA, Philippines — When the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) organized this year’s National Hog Festival 2024, it did not only aim to promote the food security, safety, sovereignty of the local agricultural sector, and tourism through food.
It also aimed for a Guinness World Record — for having the most variety of pork dishes on display — and seriously worked to achieve such feat. It teamed up with Araneta City and networked with various restaurants and culinary schools to come up with a system that would make this attempt successful.
So, when the three-day hog festival opened at the Quantum Skyview of the New Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City, Quezon City, on March 1, a total of 341 pork dishes made it to the display area for the Guinness World Records representatives to scrutinize, count and consider. They were cooked and prepared by participating restaurants and culinary schools and showcased in long rows of pop-up booths. These restaurants, with stores located in Araneta City, included Tung Lok Seafood, Mango Tree Café, Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Mesa, Tim Ho Wan, Pound Flatterie, Hawker Chan, Cabalen, Tindeli, and soon-to-open Vikings.
Among the participating culinary schools who took the responsibility of putting those precious pork dishes on display were National University–Dasmariñas, University of Perpetual Help System, Perpetual Help College of Manila-College of International Hospitality Management, Lyceum of the Philippines University–Manila and Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation. Robina Farms, Universal Robina, and Del Monte also supported the Guinness attempt.
Out of the 341 dishes, only 313 dishes qualified according to the Guinness guidelines. Guinness World Records official adjudicator Sonia Ushiroguchi, together with hog industry experts, evaluated the dishes on display and awarded the new world record, thus making the attempt a resounding success and gave the Philippines another important world record.
Senator Cynthia Villar, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Araneta City Senior Vice President for Operations Antonio Mardo, Araneta City Vice President for Leasing Lorna Fabian, and esteemed guests from the NFHFI bore witness to the event.
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