Pangasinan town breaks longest grill record

Residents of Bayambang town, Pangasinan province, grill tilapia in a record-breaking feat for the town. WILLIE LOMIBAO/CONTRIBUTOR

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan — Residents of this agricultural town in Pangasinan province erupted in cheers as fireworks lit the sky on Friday night after local officials announced that Bayambang’s bid for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest barbecue has succeeded.

The announcement was made at the town plaza by Guinness representative Seyda Subasi after the documentation of the 8-kilometer grilling of tilapia, a freshwater fish produced in the town, was finished. Bayambang beat the 6,166-meter record for longest barbecue set in Turkey in November 2009.

Mayor Ricardo Camacho said the record-breaking feat would inspire residents and local officials to improve the town’s production of freshwater fish.

“This challenges us to help further our fishermen and farmers so that their livelihoods will improve,” he said.

At least 48,000 kilograms of tilapia were cooked over grills traversing 10 villages. The grilling of tilapia was the main event of the town’s Malangsi Fish-tival (Festival), which coincided with the 400th founding anniversary celebration of Bayambang. Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon