DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan – Lasip Chico village celebrated its annual 'Lechonan ed Barangay' on Saturday, showcasing the beloved local delicacy, lechon. The event, held along Old De Venecia Highway, attracted crowds eager to enjoy the city's culinary pride.
From 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., lechoneros expertly roasted pigs over charcoal. Achieving the perfect crispy skin and tender meat requires meticulous heat management, with each pig taking two to three hours to cook.
Village chief Aldwin Dexter Meneses shared that they roasted pigs weighing 50-60 kilos each, which typically reduce to 30-35 kilos after cooking. By noon, he anticipated that the lechon, priced at P800 per kilo, would sell out.
The festival, launched in 2023, aims to support the local lechon industry despite economic difficulties. Rising pork prices have impacted participation, with fewer lechoneros this year.
The crisis, which drove up the cost of pigs, caused some of them to back out,” said Meneses.
Lasip Chico is renowned as the lechon capital of Dagupan. One of its most iconic figures, Roberto Cabal, 87, is celebrated as the oldest lechonero in the village, having started roasting pigs at just 17.
Cabal’s experience reflects the thriving lechon industry, which has flourished for over seventy years. His skills are sought after, with many neighboring towns hiring Lasip Chico's talented roasters.