The city government of Bacolod is set to hold an "Inasal Festival" at the famous Manokan Country restaurant strip in May.

Councilor Alex Paglumotan said the festival, which will be held from May 15 to 20, will showcase Bacolod's famed Chicken Inasal and help businesses at Manokan Country.

Paglumotan had authored an ordinance establishing the annual festivity, known as the "Manokan Country Inasal Festival", which was approved recently by Bacolod’s Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, even in Manila, the name of Bacolod is being used to promote chicken products. "Chicken Inasal has given us an identity," he said.

Bacolod-style Chicken Inasal is a grilled chicken dish spiced with vinegar and garlic and skewered until the skin is charred and crispy.

Paglumotan said he expects the Inasal Festival will be another tourist destination since the festival will cover the whole street where it is located. "We do not expect 100% success in its initial stage, but we believe it will evolve like the Masskara Festival and become another traditional festival in the years to come," he said.

The Masskara festival, an annual celebration held every third weekend of October, highlights colorful masks worn by festival participants and features street dance competitions, the Masskara Queen beauty pageant, carnivals, food festivals, concerts, and other special events.