Surigao City eyeing record for biggest shrimp cookout

SURIGAO CITY — After Agusan del Sur’s bid for the world’s longest mudfish grill, it’s now Surigao del Norte’s turn to take aim at a Guinness record — the biggest shrimp cookout.

As targeted, 500 kilos of shrimp will be cooked in one setting on Sept. 10 as part of Pasayan or Shrimp Festival, one of the two highlights (the other is the Bonok-Bonok Festival) of Surigao City’s fiesta celebration, said Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers.

According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Surigao del Norte has the biggest number of shrimp growers in the Caraga region.

During the Pasayan Festival, the cooked shrimps will be served to the public, particularly to the street children, while a portion will be sold.

"Cooked shrimps have high nutritional value that it is good for our less fortunate children as part of the provincial government’s feeding program. We will serve it to them and even to the public for free," Barbers said.

The Bonok-Bonok Festival is a streetdancing competition in honor of Surigao City’s patron saint, San Nicolas. Thirty-two contingents are taking part in this year’s contest.