By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev is visiting Bacolod City today and is expected to attend the 1st Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival, which is expected to begin tomorrow, May 5.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he invited Khovaev as guest of honor for the event in order to show him chicken inasal’s origins in Bacolod City.

A welcome dinner is also planned for the envoy tonight, where he will be joined by city officials, members of the business community, and local media.

Aside from the festival, Leonardia said Khovaev wanted to see tourist attractions in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental as he plans to promote them to Russian tourists.

“His visit will stimulate tourist traffic to Bacolod if successful,” Leonardia said.

Khovaev is also expected to pay a courtesy visit on Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr./DGB, WDJ