By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY — Former Bacolod City Councilor Ricardo “Cano Guapo” Tan said the journey to securing a Guinness World Record certification is no easy feat.
Tan and his family recently inaugurated and blessed the Rooster Hotel/Manok ni Cano Guapo, the latest attraction at their family-owned Campuestohan Highland Resort.
The Rooster Hotel, a replica of a fighting cock, has been certified by Guinness World Records as the largest building in the shape of a chicken.
“We sacrificed a lot of time, effort, and patience. The paperwork was overwhelming — loads and loads of it, with emails flying day and night,” Tan said.
He added that the once quiet and remote sitio of Campuestohan is now not only a tourist landmark in the Philippines but also home to the world’s largest chicken-shaped building.
“The prestigious Guinness World Records certified Manok ni Cano Guapo as the largest and only building shaped like a chicken in the world on Sept. 8, 2024, in time for Mama Mary’s birthday, our family protector,” he said.
“We are now a world record holder! The first in the Philippines, the first in the world!”
Tan further shared that he even enlisted the help of his wife’s nephew in London, Richard Ong, to act as their satellite office in Europe to speed up the process, as the time difference between the Philippines and Guinness headquarters posed a challenge.
He added that rain delays slowed construction, and they had to devise ways to maximize workers’ time.
“Without my wife’s support, I couldn’t have completed this structure. Being certified by Guinness was like passing through the eye of a needle,” he said.
Tan expressed gratitude, saying, “With God’s grace and blessings, we survived the challenges of construction and the pressure of the paperwork.”
He noted that in 2023, 55,000 applications and record attempts were submitted to Guinness, but only 5,000 passed — just 10% — and Manok ni Cano Guapo was one of the lucky ones.
“We made it! And the Manok ni Cano Guapo is now in the pages of Guinness World Records. It’s the only structure of this kind and magnitude ever recorded globally,” Tan said with joy.
He added, “This is now an icon in the Philippines, a legacy for the people of Negros to be proud of, and an honor for our country.”
Tan said the structure reflects Negros’ famous fighting cock industry, which played a significant role in the province’s economy.
“Friends call me a man of many firsts because of the things I’ve accomplished that can be considered firsts,” he said.
“But I also ask, what more can I do for our country and province? What kind of tourism icon can we all be proud of? How can I help boost tourism in our province and the entire country?”
Tan said the Philippines already has the rice terraces, Chocolate Hills, underground rivers, and other natural wonders.
“So I asked myself, what about building a structure that the world can appreciate and be a source of pride for Filipinos? Something made by man that will inspire others worldwide,” he said.
“And now, here it is. Standing right before you — Manok ni Cano Guapo. No other structure of this size and shape exists. When people see this icon, they will always associate it with the Philippines,” he said.
“This icon will always remind us that Filipinos, especially Negrenses, can stand proud and face the world with honor,” he added.
Tan recounted that from June 10, 2023, when the first hole was dug for the foundation, to Sept. 8, 2024, when Guinness World Records adjudicated the structure as the largest in the world, it took them 456 days.
He explained that he adopted the rooster design because the fighting cock industry is second only to sugar in importance for Negros.
“When the sugar industry slumped, it was the fighting cock industry that rose to the challenge. It generated millions in revenue, paid millions in taxes, and employed thousands of people directly and indirectly,” Tan said.
The cities of Bacolod and Talisay, through their respective city councils, passed resolutions commending Tan for achieving the Guinness World Record for the Rooster Hotel.
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya led the guest list at the event, which also included Rafael “Nene” Abello, a well-known cock breeder in the province, Bacolod Councilors Jason Villarosa, Thaddy Sayson, and Kalaw Puentevella, and Talisay City Vice Mayor Nicolai Jalandoni.
