ILIGAN CITY – The “Indigay sa Lechon” showdown was held on Tuesday, Sept. 20, for the first time in two years after the pandemic as part of the ongoing Diyandi Festival here.
Jaime's Lechon won the grand prize of P15,000 in the contest to determine the best testing lechon baboy (roasted pig) in this city.
Mark James Abitago, owner, dedicated the victory to his grandparents from whom he inherited the business and followed their principle.
Abitago revealed the secret of their lechon which is stuffed with lemon grass, bell peppers, garlic, onion bulbs and leaves, laurel leaves, and iodized salt.
"Our secret is to cook it with heart and should pass the family's taste first before giving it to customers so that their money would not be wasted," Abitago said.
“Thus, Iligan lechon does not need sauce. It best enjoyed with just any kind of vinegar,” he added.
Indigay sa Lechon was organized in the year 2010 by Councilor Atty. Marlene Young.
It was held annually until 2016 when it stopped after Young lost as councilor in the elections.
Six years later, in 2022, Mayor Frederick Sia greenlit the return of the event.
"I can still remember when we started the first ever Indigay sa Lechon way back in 2010 and I am beyond grateful for everyone's support and participation in bringing it back," said Young.
Mayor Frederick Siao here commended Young for her efforts to make the roasted pig faceoff a success.
"Congrats Marlene sa usa ka mahinungdanon nga event karong kapistahan nato sa Iligan (Congrats Marlene for this important event in the upcoming fiesta of Iligan City),’’ Siao said.
The second best tasting lechon went to Eljeas Food House and won P10,000 while Lalang's Lechon was third and got P8,000.