At M’lang roast pork feast, turkeys playing key roles

M’LANG, North Cotabato—Turkeys, while not the main star, are playing a key role in a festival here that would feature 150 roasted pigs to be served to residents in a free food orgy that the mayor said was a form of thanksgiving but which the town’s chief doctor warned could lead to a spike in cases of hypertension.

Mayor Joselito Piñol said residents would feast on at least 150 roasted pigs for the town’s celebration of the Kawayanan Festival and to thank the gods for a bountiful harvest.

Muslims, though, would have to make do with turkeys, according to officials of the town. Eating pork is considered “haram,” or forbidden, in Islam.

Dr. Glicerio Sotea, the town’s chief health officer, was quick to warn, though, of an increase in cases of hypertension as a result of the massive roast pig buffet.

“Go slow on consuming roasted pig,” said the doctor.

He said even people without cholesterol problems should watch their diets because roasted pigs are known to pack high levels of cholesterol that could lead to more serious health problems.

To keep their health in check, Sotea advised those who would dive into the roast pig buffet to each consume only 2 grams of the tasty, fat oozing treat.

In anticipation of a possible spike in hypertension and cases of blood pressures rising, Sotea said the municipal health office is deploying a team of health workers ready to apply first aid to anyone who would collapse or suffer serious bouts of dizziness after gorging on roast pig.

Piñol said the lechon feast was also the town’s way of promoting and supporting its hog industry.

“All the pigs to be roasted were raised by locals,” he said.

Piñol said officials and residents of the town’s 37 villages, the business sector and other groups have pooled resources to make the free lechon feast possible.

He said the town’s Muslim communities were participating in the lechon feast for the first time. They will be roasting turkeys, Piñol said.

He said members of the town’s Muslim communities will be assigned a roasting area far from where the pigs will be cooked and the smell of crackling pig skin and melting fat will fill the air. Williamor A. Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao