20/06/2026
Re-post ta anay
The Golden Legacy of Lolo Banoy Velez’s Chicken Inasal
Our beloved Lolo Banoy Velez was born in the quiet barangay of Pakiad Oton, Iloilo, and built his life and family alongside his wife, Olivia Delis Depon, who hailed from Balaring, Silay, Negros Occidental. Together, they raised a big, loving family of 13 children—12 siblings in all—with Bernadette Velez as the eldest, the firstborn who would one day carry forward her father’s greatest gift to the community.
The story of their famous Chicken Inasal began in 1946, a time of new beginnings after the war. Lolo Banoy loved preparing tender, flavorful native chicken, marinated in a secret blend of local spices, grilled over glowing wood fires. Back then, it was only made as pulutan—a savory treat shared with friends and relatives during gatherings, fiestas, and simple afternoons of storytelling. Everyone who tasted it raved: the meat was juicy, the marinade rich, and the smoky aroma drew people from nearby streets. Again and again, his loved ones urged him: “Banoy, this is too good to keep only for us. Turn it into a business—this is an opportunity waiting for you!”
Pushed by their encouragement and believing in his craft, Lolo Banoy took the leap. What started as a humble family favorite soon grew into a beloved local staple, and the legacy of Lolo Banoy Velez Chicken Inasal was born.
Years later, in the 1970s, Bernadette—the eldest and most eager to follow in her father’s footsteps—became the first to formally join the family business. Together with her husband, Nonoy Posadas, they set up shop along Quadra Street, a spot locals fondly called Chicken Alley, where lines of hungry customers would form daily, drawn by the same recipe and tradition Lolo Banoy had perfected.
After a decade of success and growing demand, the family moved the business to the bustling Reclamation Area in 1982. It was here that they renamed it Manokan Country, officially opening their new stall in 1983, becoming one of the pioneer names in the iconic food hub that would become famous across Negros and beyond.
Through the years, Bernadette poured her heart into every grill, guarding her father’s secret recipe and treating every customer like family. When she passed away, the responsibility to keep the legacy alive fell to her husband, Nonoy, and their children. Guided by the lessons Bernadette and Lolo Banoy had taught them—of quality, tradition, and love for their craft—they continued grilling the same delicious chicken inasal.
Today, Bernadette Chicken Inasal stands proudly at its new home: SM Tempo Manokan Country, at the North Terminal Hub, just across the old Manokan Country site that witnessed decades of their history. Managed and owned by Nonoy and the next generation of the family, every piece of grilled chicken still carries the taste of Pakiad Uton and Balaring, the warmth of Lolo Banoy’s kitchen, and the dedication of Bernadette and all those who came before.
What began as simple pulutan in 1946 has become more than a business—it is a heritage, a bond that ties generations together, and a reminder that the sweetest legacies are built from love, hard work, and the courage to share what you do best with the world.
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