Ping-Ping’s Native Lechon won first prize for its colorful “Toy Story” float in the 2015 Lechon Parade on Calavite Street in La Loma, Quezon City .
Ping-Ping’s received the Php 30,000 cash prize during the awarding ceremony led by Mayor Herbert M. Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Congressman Reynaldo Calalay and other city officials.
The second place cash prize of Php 20,000 was awarded to Livelihood Toda of Barangay Paang Bundok for their roasted pig ala- SAF Fallen 44, while the third prize of Php 10,000 went to Mang Tomas Lechon for their lechon float with theme “Flores de Mayo.”
Mayor Bautista and Vice Mayor Belmonte vowed to make the lechon parade a yearly affair to boost the tourism potential of the La Loma area. The city government has lined-up different projects including installing a monument of Jose T. Bugallon , who is known as the hero of the Battle of La Loma. Other infrastructure projects being proposed by the local government are the redevelopment of the La Loma cockpit and nearby area to establish parkway, promenade and a mini park, and sidewalk redevelopment.
“QC is exerting efforts to transform the La Loma area into another tourist destination,” Vice Mayor Belmonte said.
In the street dance competition, JP Laurel High School won first place (Php 10,000); E. Rodriguez High School, second place (Php 7,500); and Bagong Silangan High School , third place (Php 5,000).
In the culinary competition for creative renditions of the lechon, which was judged by three well-known chefs – Mike Santos, Penk Ching and Tristan Encarnacion — kare-kare con kalabasa and malunggay in coco milk of Paang Bundok won first prize (Php 5,000); kilawing lechon of Paang Bundok, second prize (Php 3,000); and sinigang na lechon in buco juice, third prize (Php 2,000).
A lion and dragon dance, fireworks display and performances by entertainers like Anne Curtis and Brownman Revival made the La Loma Lechon Festival a fun-filled occasion. This festive celebration was organized by Barangay Paang Bundok chairman and La Loma Lechoneros president Willie Manugar Chua in coordination with the Quezon City government. (Maureen)
Posted By: Edrillan Pasion
