‘Sili’ dishes, Bicol songs, culture spicing up ‘2018 Magayon Festival’

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – This year’s month-long Magayan Festival, which got off the wraps last May 1, will highlight sili-based Albay culinary delights, a Bicolanao song writing and interpretation contest, as well as stage plays, sports events and Albay culture and traditions.

The festivities got going on Labor Day with street presentations, a float parade depicting Albay festivals and a Holy Mass at the Albay Capitol.

Dorothy Colle, Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) chief told the Manila Bulletin that this year’s celebration will no longer stage a pure “sili-eating” contest but a cooking competition for “sili-based dishes.

“This could be more exciting because andyan pa din yung about the food of Albay. Yung “sili-eating” contest, viand na siya, wala na yung pure sili. Andyan yung Bicol express, spicy pinangat, at marami pang iba. The purpose is to show the penchant or yung kagustuhan ng mga Bicolano o Albayano in particular sa mga pagkain. Ipapakita rin dito ay kung ano yung mga cuisines o delicacies ang pwedeng gawin sa sili,” Colle said.

Albay is also known for production of “sili” or chili, the key ingredient of the famed, spicy “Bicol Express.”

The spicy ingredient is also used in other native dishes such as ‘pinangat,” “ginataang gulay,” pork and beef dishes and even ice cream.

According to Colle, this year’s celebration will also feature Bicol song writing contest and interpretation.

“We added this year the Bicol Song Festival, para mailabas naman yung talent ng mga Bicolano sa pagsusulat ng kanta at Bicol literature. Dalawang category yung Bicol Song, yung writing and song interpretation and yung mangyayari, yung isang popular Bicol song, iba-iba ang magi-interprete nun. The judging and contest night will happen on May 27,” Colle narrated.

Attractive prizes await the winners of the contest.