BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – This city was able to set up a 3.985-kilometer chicken barbecue grill, breaking Dagupan City’s 3.8-kilometer bangus grill record, at the north wing parking area of SM City here Tuesday.

Bacolod’s attempt for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records used 70 galvanized iron sheets for the grill base, 400 sacks of charcoal, and 62,000 skewered chicken parts.

About 3,000 city government employees and volunteers took over the grilling, which began shortly before 6 p.m. with Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Sen. Francis Escudero leading the pack.

Representatives of the Philippine Geodetic Engineers Association (PGEA) were present to monitor the event.

Councilor Alex Paglumotan, who chairs the first Chicken Inasal Festival, said the PGEA would certify the record to be submitted to Guinness for validation.

Escudero said he hopes Bacolod succeeds in breaking a Guinness record, adding that the event was a chance for Bacoleños to unite and provided a welcome distraction from the effects of the current financial hardship.

The event highlighted the first Chicken Inasal Festival launched by the city government last week.