Digos aims for record: 36,000 kg of ‘lechon’

DIGOS CITY — The city government has started preparing for its bid to establish a world record for having the largest serving of roasted pig yet for its 18th founding anniversary in September.

This early, however, city officials were already busy in preparations to dislodge two previous records set by Quezon City and Mexico, which have been entered into the Guinness World Records.

Dr. Fermin Verallo, city veterinary officer, told reporters here that the bid would coincide with the celebration of the city’s founding anniversary.

In 2015, Quezon City set the Guinness World Record for the largest serving of ‘lechon’ when Calata Corp. prepared a total of 4,045 kilograms of roasted pig.

It snatched the title from Mexico, which previously set a record of 3,094 kg.

Back to Mexico

On March 6, 2016, Mexican firm Fundacion Produce Yucatán won back the record after serving 6,626 kg of roasted pig in Mérida, Yucatán.

Verallo said he expected the city to top that record, too.

He said the city government was confident about setting a new record because in the last three years, commercial pig roasters in the city had prepared more than 20,000 kg of lechon for the annual “Roasting by the Roadside” festival.

Verallo said the city government did not bid for a Guinness World Record since the annual event was launched in 2003.

“It is time we try to get the record,” he said, adding that the city expected at least 900 pigs to be roasted on Sept. 8, which would translate to about 36,000 kg.

For everyone

Mayor Joseph Peñas said he had created a technical working group for the city’s bid for the record.

Roberto Zamora, city information officer and member of the technical working group, said officials had already informed Guinness of the city’s intention to break the record. —Eldie Aguirre