15 La Loma Lechon sa Lungsod Quezon: Baliktanaw at Selebrasyon
J J U U II C C Y Y L L II C C II O O LECHON U U SS A
s a prelude for the celebration, E. Rodriguez Jr. High School Araling Panlipunan Department, led by Master Teacher I Mrs. Maria Teresa Isidro, Master Teacher I Mrs. Anica Frasdilla, and Head Teacher III Mrs. Luzviminda Culata, launched a successful exhibit presenting the art of lechon, its culture and local history, in the school’s Audio Visual Room, on May 19. With the theme “Kwentong Lechoneros: Noon at Ngayon’”, the exhibit seeks to intensify the learning of culture and local history, and ensure the learning of batang makabansa by deepening their knowledge about themselves and their customs. As for the tribute for frontliners, Erodians showed their creativity by dressing and decorating their hand-made lechons, following the theme of “The Heroes of Pandemic”. Roasted pigs were dressed as grab drivers, doctors, cops, community volunteers, and more.
Kwentong Lechoneros
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a Loma Festival wouldn’t be successful as it is today without the bamboo that continued to pillar the lechon industry in La Loma, our Lechoneros. William Chua, one of the owners and manager of Ping Ping’s Native Lechon and Restaurant revealed that their business started in 1977, it started as a simple eatery for lechoneros, vendors and sabongeros. From starting with four employees, Ping Ping grew into one of the famous lechon stores in the country. “Madaling araw, ala-una, gigising na hanggang sa dumating ang baboy. Kailangan hindi ka puyat, malakas ang resistensya mo, pero papalit-palit naman kami dahil tatlo kaming nagluluto ng lechon.” said Arturo Ayapan
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By LJ BERNARDINO
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n. Christmas, New Years, birthdays, and culture of every Filipino household. Festival was launched to promote and hood of residents of La Loma District. ed by the pandemic, La Loma revived the
By LJ BERNARDINO
regarding his experience as a lechonero in Ping Ping’s Native Lechon and Restaurant for 18 years. And when we say lechon, from head to toe, there’s no waste. In the south of La Loma, you will find the latest lechon dish invention. For fifty pesos, you can buy lechon laman-loob barbeque. “During the pandemic, pumasok sa mind namin, paano ba ako makakagawa ng ibang paraan para ma-offset ko yung mga gastos ko. Sa La Loma niyo lang makikita ang barbeque laman loob!” Mang Ramon Ferreros, owner of Monchie’s Lechon, stated in an interview in Kwentong QC.
Parada ng mga Lechon
hemonthofMayisfullofprecessions 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
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Students from 9-Einstein also participated in the exhibit and joined the competition with the concept of public servants holding the Philippines’ flag while riding a lechon named Aaron. With the touch of a crispy looking roasted pig, and a sun that represents the Filipino’s freedom and hope, Einstein was ranked 4th place in a lechon art competition. Victor Domingo, a student from the aforementioned section, shared their class’ struggles with the presentation of their lechon. “You need to make a representation that the audience will understand by just looking and observing.” But Einstein couldn’t help but be proud of their work. As youths, it’s an achievement to create artworks through papers and plastic bottles that strengthens and revives Filipino culture and tradition, and helps the environment through upcycling waste into art.
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.
Tayo na sa La Loma, lechon dito’y nakahilera. Halina’t mamasyal dito sa La Loma. Lugar ng Lechong Pilipino.