The Lechon Festival at Mactan Newtown was officially launched on August 22, 2024, at Belmont Hotel Mactan. The event, now in its sixth year, was spearheaded by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls General Manager Thesbe C. Alonso, Assistant Vice-President and Cluster General Manager Michael Bryan Vivo, Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Head Gary Lao, and Belmont Hotel General Manager Yvonne Villacorte.
Lao highlighted Cebu’s renown for its delicious and crispy lechon, a dish deeply embedded in the region’s culture. “Lechon represents more than just a meal; it embodies celebration, community spirit, and festive joy,” said Lao.
This year’s festival promises to be the largest and most festive yet. Alonso announced exciting additions, including the Search for the Best Lechonero, Paksiw Wars, and the participation of celebrity chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou.
The three-day festival will run from August 30 to September 1, 2024, featuring a range of activities. The Grand Food Bazaar at The Mactan Alfresco will showcase various lechon varieties from renowned lechon-makers across Cebu, including Carcar, Talisay, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu City.
Festival-goers can also enjoy live music from local bands every night starting at 7 p.m., with dazzling fireworks displays lighting up the night sky. The opening day, August 30, will feature cultural performances by the Banauan Cultural Group.
Graham M. Coates, head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, emphasized the festival’s role in celebrating Cebuano culture. “This annual event not only showcases Cebu’s world-famous lechon but also immerses visitors in the vibrant Cebuano culture.”
The festival, a key event at The Mactan Newtown, is organized in partnership with the Lapu-Lapu City government, the city tourism office, and the Department of Tourism. It offers a unique opportunity for tourists and food enthusiasts to savor the best of Cebu lechon and experience local culture.
Highlighting this year’s festival will be the inaugural Best Lechonero Award, where participating lechon houses will compete for the title of Cebu’s top lechon-maker. Celebrity chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou will lead a lechon pairing session and cooking demonstration on August 31, joined by chefs from Megaworld’s Savoy Hotel Mactan and Belmont Hotel Mactan.
The Paksiw Wars will feature local schools and culinary students competing to master lechon paksiw, a popular dish made from the celebrated pork roast. The festival will also offer live roasting demonstrations at The Mactan Alfresco lechon pit.
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, a leading retail and commercial development arm of Megaworld Corporation, continues to champion the rich heritage and culture of its locations. With its diverse portfolio of lifestyle malls, Megaworld remains committed to delivering exceptional experiences for its patrons.
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