A total of 1,250 dozen grilled longganisa (pork sausage) were shared by residents and visitors as among the events for this city’s Hundred Islands Festival 2026 on Friday.
Alaminos Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste, in an interview, said there were 250 grills, with five dozens of longganisa in each grill, measuring a total of 500 meters long, which were showcased during the occasion.
Alaminos longganisa is known for its juicy, garlicky, and tasty flavor and its trademark small bamboo sticks used to seal the sausage in smaller portions.
It is also the one-town-one product and one of the most popular food souvenirs of the city.
The industry started in the 1970s with over 50 kilos of meat processed daily by around 100 vendors.
“It really helps the industry since we bought it from the vendors. And it’s not just that. Actually, the media mileage of Alaminos Longganisa is what excites me because it will be known more. That’s what we want. We want to hopefully globalize Alaminos Longganisa with these kinds of events and these kinds of celebrations,” he said.
He added that in the grilling activity, the longganisa, along with the catfish and eggplants, among others, were shared for free with all the attendees.
“Alaminos’ culture is of sharing. Each participant may bring various products they would grill. It’s a community-based celebration. It has always been sharing,” Celeste said.
The longganisa grilling was the replacement for the annual talaba (oyster) grilling, which drumbeats and helps the oyster industry in the city.
He said the red tide positive status of nearby coastal towns of Anda and Bolinao prompted them to shift to longganisa grilling.
Celeste said the Hundred Islands Festival aims to draw tourists and stir economic activity in the city.
“We are expecting around 30,000 to 40,000 tourists. Foot traffic alone is a big help already. Fiesta is a way of stirring the economic pot. We hope there will be more to avail of the products of the businesses in the city to help micro, small and medium entrepreneurs,” he said. (PNA)
