Will Alcala make it to the Guinness?

By Eva C. Visperas

Alcala Mayor Manuel Collado now believes that his town will grab the twin titles for the longest barbeque and the longest grill in the Guinness Book of World Records after its successful attempts last Saturday.

Collado told local reporters that he is very happy about the outcome and it was the first time his town gathered more than 40,000 people from all walks of life for a single grand affair that made this interior town gain national and possibly world recognition.

The town set up a three-kilometer long barbeque for the longest barbeque crown and another 150-meter long uninterrupted grill made of steel and galvanized iron for the longest grill title. The three-kilometer long grills were set up from barangay San Pedro Ili, Poblacion, San Nicolas, Poblacion East, Poblacion West, San Juan, San Vicente and Laoac, and used 2,100 sacks of charcoal.

Collado’s fearless forecast for the Guinness titles were shared by Eduardo Tolentino, steering committee chairman for this affair, saying that,” Ninety percent we’re sure of getting the titles”.

There were documentations through aerial shots using a chopper from the Northern Luzon Command and another on the ground by a group of engineers.

Tolentino added that they tried their best to comply with all the documentation requirements set by Guinness, and used a helicopter from the Northern Luzon Command and from a group of engineers. The documentation will be submitted in two weeks’ time in London.

The town used 4,000 kilos of pork barbeque from Monterey, one of the country’s best meat processors. An additional 20,000 kilos of bangus (milkfish) were also grilled in 1,000 grills, each grill measured three meters long. Each three-meter grill had 92 sticks of pork barbeque that weighed four kilos.

Media present observed that the town’s initial attempt was even better than Dagupan City’s whose first attempt to land a Guinness title in 2002 was described no less by Mayor Benjamin Lim as a “disaster”. The charcoal and the bangus (milkfish) for grilling were missing, and many of the grills also collapsed.

Dagupan City finally made it in its second try during its Bangus Festival on May 3, 2003 and now holds the record for its 1.007 kilometer-long barbeque. It made another attempt in 2005 by putting up a two-kilometer barbeque grill but this, however, has yet to be officially recognized by Guinness.

Alcala attempted to break the world grill record of 32.84 meters registered by in St. Wendel  Werschweiler in Germany on May 14, 2004.

American Goan Dahms who is married to an Alcalenian who arrived here last April 25 to take part in this momentous event, told this corner, “Hot grill, long grill, lots of food, I am enjoying,” People brought bangus (milkfish), tilapia, hotdogs, pork chops, eggplants, among others plus rice, beer and soda for a party in the streets as they were entertained by live bands, bingo games, magic shows, gift-giving that lasted until the wee hours.

Governor Victor Agbayani and fifth district Board Member Dionisio Villar Jr. led officials and townsfolk in the ceremonial lighting of the grills.

It was overseas Alcalenians’ idea to bankroll the project to raise funds for the town’s projects, i.e,. educational, health and other community projects. So the grills were sold for $100 each and there were about 500 balikbayans who joined the grand reunion.

Even past Miss Alcala titleholders now residing abroad came home to party. The oldest of them all, 92-year old Apolonia Espiritu crowned Miss Alcala in 1933, a US resident, returned with 24 others.

“This really showcased the unity and cooperation of the people and it made wonders for our town,” Collado said.

The proceeds of the grills sold will go to the Rang-Ay ti Alcala Foundation Inc. where Tolentino is the president.

_________________________________________________

(You can also read this writer’s other stories at http://businessblog.prepys.com.)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments