Across Cebu, Every Lechon Tells a Different Story

 

At the 10th Cebu Lechon Festival, different localities show that Cebu lechon is not made from one recipe alone.

Cebu lechon may look familiar on the table, but ask the people who prepare it and the differences quickly come out. One town uses more lemongrass. Another adds coconut vinegar. Some still prefer bamboo for roasting, while others rely on closely guarded ingredients to keep the meat tender and the skin crisp.

A mouthwatering lineup of signature roasts from across Cebu takes center stage at the grand launch of the festival

These hometown touches are part of what visitors can discover at the 10th Cebu Lechon Festival at The Mactan Newtown. The event brings together lechon makers from across Cebu, giving each participating locality the chance to present the ingredients, methods, and flavors that define its roast.

My Paparts Lechon serves up what many consider the definitive Lapu-Lapu lechon experience. Ronan Murillo, owner of My Paparts lechon and 2026 Cebu Lechon Festival Best Lechonero, attributes their signature taste to two key steps: "We add pineapple tidbits to our seasoning for a hint of natural sweetness, and we spread the charcoal evenly so every inch roasts at the same pace," Murillo notes. The careful process yields juicy, flavorful meat beneath skin that stays extraordinarily crisp for more than four hours.

A cheerful wave from lechonero Ronan Murillo meets Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King-Chan,

setting the tone for a flavorful celebration at the Great Cebu Lechon Market. 

In Alcoy, much of the work comes down to controlling the fire. The heat must remain steady so the meat cooks all the way through without burning the skin. Even larger lechons are roasted carefully to achieve crisp, golden-brown skin and well-cooked meat. Alcoy Tourism office staff Michelle Catulpos shared that “Lemongrass, onions, and garlic provide the familiar aroma, with a generous amount of lemongrass giving the roast its distinct fragrance.”

Alcoy’s food story also goes beyond lechon. The municipality is home to local

delicacies such as bibingka, torta, tostado, and budbud domino, giving visitors more

reasons to explore the flavors found in southern Cebu.

Alcoy brought its best to the festival launch, showcasing a prized lechon

that outsized all the rest.

Argao keeps its preparation closer to a traditional provincial style. Argao Lechonero James Labajo, the Sugbuanon Paksiw Wars 2026 champion, shared that he uses “Shoka,” a vinegar brand from Argao in cooking lechon, giving it a distinct flavor.  He adds that seasoning must be tuned to the pig’s age and weight, with cooking lasting anywhere from two to three hours. 

Argao lechonero James Labajo carefully crafts his championship-winning dish

during the Sugbuanon Paksiw Wars 2026.

Barili brings a different element to the process by using the traditional bamboo instead of the modern steel roasting rod. "As it heats over the fire, the bamboo give off its own aroma, which becomes part of the finished lechon," said Barili Tourism staff Joemar Saban. The recipe uses locally sourced ingredients and lighter a hand with seasoning, allowing the pork and the roasting process to carry much flavor.

The Municipality of Barili showcased incredible craftsmanship,

bagging the Best Booth Award at the Great Cebu Lechon Market.

"Patience is everything," says Michael Rosal, a local lechonero from Samboan. For a 30-kilogram pig, Rosal takes two and a half to three hours over the charcoal, keeping it at a careful distance so the heat never gets too intense. To give his lechon its signature touch, he incorporates Samboan’s local rum into his blend of seasonings—a trick he relies on to tenderize the meat and release a rich fragrance as it slow-roasts.

The feast continues through August 31 at Mactan Newtown Road 4, featuring local eats, regional treats, and curated finds.

Beyond creating vibrant destinations, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and The Mactan Newtown weave culture and heritage into every experience. Through inclusive events and community-centered festivals, they provide a stage where Cebuano identity, tradition, and togetherness can truly thrive.

For festival updates and the latest announcements, visit facebook.com/MactanNewtownMegaworld and facebook.com/TMN.OfficialTownshipPage.

A New Chapter of Curated Discoveries at Lucky Chinatown

 

As Manila’s urban explorers seek out the curious, the collectible, and the artfully designed, Lucky Chinatown remains at the pinnacle of collecting elevated finds in the heart of Binondo. A new wave of thoughtfully chosen spaces invites visitors to slow down, look closer, and engage in experiences that speak to both taste and intention.

Gashapon Bandai Official Shop

Tucked within this new capsule haven is a tactile celebration of Japanese pop culture, where the spin of a dial and the clink of a capsule promise a moment of whimsy. From collectible anime figures to intricately crafted everyday replicas, Gashapon is a playground of nostalgia. In a culture fixated on detail and rarity, this trending micro-universe captures the art of the miniature with high design sensibilities.

Nitori

Evoking the serenity of a Kyoto retreat while addressing the demands of modern living, Nitori debuts with understated grandeur. Its expansive space is more than a showroom—it’s a study in purposeful living. Clean-lined furniture, intuitive storage, and warm, textured textiles speak the quiet language of Japanese utility and grace. Nitori offers a blueprint for intentional living, where elegance and efficiency cohabitate seamlessly.

KKV

KKV invites discovery with every turn. The store reads like a design-forward bazaar—visually captivating, eclectic, and endlessly scroll-worthy. Here, rows of artful stationery and imaginative toys sit beside avant-garde cosmetics, trending home items, and unique snacks. For those drawn to aesthetic exploration, KKV offers a world unbounded.

Discover these refined new experiences and more, only at Lucky Chinatown—where the future of lifestyle meets the art of the find. For updates on how to join, visit megaworld-lifestylemalls.com or call (02) 8462-8888.

First Nitori Store in City of Manila Opens at Lucky Chinatown

 

Leading the launch were Nitori’s Executive Director of Development for Southeast Asia and India Takuya Ono; Nitori’s General Manager for Asia Masatoshi Sano; together with Megaworld Lifestyle Malls First Vice President and Head Graham Coates, and Lucky Chinatown General Manager Nori Mizoguchi.

Lucky Chinatown welcomes the arrival of Nitori, a Japanese furniture and home accessories brand, as it officially opens its doors for the first time in the city of Manila.

Known for its minimalist design, functionality, and affordability, Nitori

gives its customers the opportunity to experience a touch of Japanese

living like never before. 

Located on the Second Floor of Lucky Chinatown’s Imperial Wing, the new Nitori store spans 2,326 square meters, offering a spacious and immersive retail environment. It features a wide selection of products ranging from smartly designed furniture, storage solutions, and home textiles to kitchenware, décor, and everyday essentials. Each piece reflects Nitori’s dedication to purposeful design, combining Japanese craftsmanship and innovation to meet the evolving needs of modern living.

“Bringing global brands like Nitori to Lucky Chinatown reflects our ongoing commitment to curating exceptional retail experiences for our shoppers. This destination has always been a vibrant crossroads of cultural exchange and heritage, and by introducing international names alongside local icons, we continue to celebrate that unique identity while embracing innovation and modern living. Nitori’s arrival perfectly embodies the synergy of tradition and progress that defines Lucky Chinatown today,” shared Graham Coates.

Visit Nitori today at Lucky Chinatown and discover how small changes can bring big comfort to your everyday life. For updates, visit megaworld-lifestylemalls.com or call (02) 8462-8888.