Parada ng mga Lechon

The month ofMay is full ofprecessions of beautiful Filipinos, blooming flowers, and beaming lights to commemorate the discovery of the Holy Cross by Saint Helena of Constantinople and her son, Constantine the Great.

But here in La Loma, instead of Flores de Mayo, we celebrate Lechons of May.

The Parada ng mga Lechon is celebrated every third Sunday of May. Since then, it has become a main attraction in La Loma, drawing tourists and spectators from all around Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The festival not only reunites business owners, locals, and tourists, but also promotes nationalism in every Filipino.

As a form of support towards the district’s lechon

By LJ BERNARDINO

industry, former Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. declared La Loma as the “Lechon Capital of the Philippines” in 2002 due to the many establishments selling lechon in the area.

“At the festival and for a limited time only, everyone can enjoy mouthwatering lechon at a fraction of the regular cost due to a price-lowering battle between the owners of lechon businesses.” Mang Ramon Ferreros, mastermind behind the parade, said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

On May 21, the Lechon Festival Parade occupied the streets of La Loma. The lechons were given adorable and eyecatching costumes, such as attires of King Charles and Queen Camilla, mermaids, basketball players, and supermodels, that attract attention and add a fun and entertaining element to the festival.

After the procession, recognition was given to the winners of the float parade. Mila’s Lechon prevailed as they won first place, followed by Mang Tomas Native Lechon at second, and Monchie’s Lechon in third.

In every celebration, lechon serves as the star of the occasion. It’s crispy skin combined with delicious sauce, if there’s lechon, there’s quality food.

The district of La Loma offers rows of delectable putokbatok. Serving lechon has become part of Filipino culture.