Cebu City bids for world record on longest grill in a cookout

CEBU — Cebu City formally launched yesterday its bid to set a world record for the longest barbecue grill in a cookout called "Sugbayanihan: Pistahan ng Sugba sa Sinulog."

For the attempt, the city government, in cooperation with Southeast Asian Food Products, the makers of the Datu Puti brand of condiments, closed half of Osmeña Boulevard — from Fuente Osmeña to the intersection of Sanciangco Street — and strung together 524 aluminum grills to create a 1,309.96-meter interlocking grill over which four tons of pork was barbecued.

At least 600 barbecue vendors in the city participated in the cookout. The barbecued meat was sold at huge discounts than normally sold in their own stalls scattered all over the city.

At least 500 sacks of charcoal were used to broil the four tons of pork.

The cookout was an instant hit among Cebuanos, who have developed a passion for barbecue.

Cito Alejandro, president of the sponsoring Southeast Asian Food Products, said documentations such as the actual length of the grill and photographic evidence will be sent to the offices of the Guinness Book of Records in London by the Philippine Geodetic Engineers Association.

Alejandro said the company spent some P5 million for the activity.

Asked about the prospects of making the record, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena said: "It’s beyond my wildest expectations that we will break the record. Tonight, we are not only celebrating the longest barbecue grill but the biggest picnic in the history of Cebu."

The Sugbayanihan cookout is a new feature of the Sinulog Festival, which is now on its 24th year.

To lend a festive air to the activity, four makeshift stages were erected along the stretch and several bands performed for the night.

The existing record for the longest barbecue grill in the Guinness Book of Records is held by Peru, which erected a 613-meter grill during a cookout on Nov. 13, 1999 in Sicuani City.— Freeman News Service