In the verdant hills of Negros Occidental, amidst the Philippines' emerald highlands, there stands an edifice that is as whimsical as it is colossal. This is no ordinary structure; it is the world's largest chicken-shaped building, a testament to the imagination and the indomitable spirit of its creator, Ricardo Cano Gwapo Tan. A septuagenarian with a heart as vast as the sky and a playful twinkle in his eye, Tan has crafted a legacy that is as grand as it is peculiar, a six-story, 35-meter high homage to the humble chicken.

Perched atop the Campuestohan Highland Resort, this architectural marvel is not merely a tribute to avian architecture but a monument to the significance of the game fowl industry in the region. With 15 rooms, each equipped with air-conditioning for comfort though windowless to maintain the illusion of feathers, this chicken-shaped sanctuary was officially awarded the Guinness World Record title on September 8th. It is a feat of engineering and a triumph of vision, a structure that has captured the hearts and imaginations of people around the globe.

Tan, a former local politician, describes himself as a "big kid at heart," and it is this childlike wonder that has driven him to create something with a "wow factor." His resort is his canvas, and the chicken-shaped hotel is his masterpiece, a testament to the power of creativity and the joy of play. It is a structure that defies convention, a building that turns heads and sparks smiles, a place where the mundane is transformed into the extraordinary.

The chicken holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Negros. Cockfighting, or "sabong," is a tradition that predates Spanish colonial rule and remains a popular pastime in rural areas of the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Despite being banned in India and facing opposition from animal rights groups, the sport continues to thrive, generating millions of pesos in cockfighting arenas across the Philippines. Tan, recognizing the economic and cultural importance of the game fowl industry, dedicated his building to this billion-peso empire, a source of pride and honor for the province.

The chicken is more than just a symbol of sport and industry; it is a creature of dualities, embodying both calmness and command. As a child, Tan recalls the rooster's crow during the Christmas season, a call for families to gather for Misa de Gallo, the "Rooster's Mass," a series of dawn masses leading up to Christmas. This tradition is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Philippines, and the resort's rooster-shaped hotel is a fitting tribute to this time-honored custom. It is no surprise that the hotel is fully booked for the holiday season, with families planning to stay through the end of January 2025.

The cost of a room in this unique hotel is a modest $80 for four people, and for a larger room accommodating up to seven, the price is about $120. These are not just rooms, but experiences, opportunities to immerse oneself in the culture and the character of the region. The resort, once a tranquil mountaintop purchased by Tan's wife, Anita, has been transformed into a five-hectare wonderland, replete with two massive wave pools, a restaurant, a café, and hundreds of dinosaur and cartoon statues that entertain and delight guests of all ages.

Access to this colossal rooster is an adventure in itself. Travelers must embark on a journey that begins with a domestic flight from Manila or Cebu to the Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Negros Occidental, part of the archipelagic country's over 7,000 islands. From there, it is a 17-mile drive through the lush farmland and an uphill climb to reach the giant rooster, a beacon of innovation and a symbol of the Philippines' rich heritage.

The chicken-shaped building is more than just a novelty; it is a symbol of the Philippines' creativity and resilience. It stands as a reminder that even in a world of conformity, there is room for the extraordinary, for the unexpected, for the absurd. It is a structure that invites us to think differently, to see the world through the eyes of a child, to find joy in the most unlikely of places.

As we gaze upon this colossal chicken, we are reminded of the power of dreams and the importance of leaving a legacy. Tan's vision has turned a simple mountaintop into a destination, a place where the ordinary becomes the extraordinary, where the mundane is elevated to the magical. This chicken is not just a building; it is a testament to the human spirit, a symbol of the power of imagination, and a reminder that even the most outlandish ideas can take flight and soar to great heights.

In a world that often takes itself too seriously, the giant chicken of Negros Occidental offers a refreshing perspective. It is a place where the absurd is celebrated, where the unconventional is embraced, and where the impossible becomes possible. It is a monument to the power of dreams, a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the most unlikely of places, greatness can be found.

As we conclude our journey to this remarkable destination, we are left with a sense of awe and a heart full of wonder. The giant chicken of the Philippines is more than just a building; it is a testament to the power of imagination, a symbol of the human spirit, and a reminder that even the most outlandish ideas can take flight and soar to great heights. It is a place where the ordinary becomes the extraordinary, where the mundane is elevated to the magical, and where the impossible becomes possible. It is a monument to the power of dreams, a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the most unlikely of places, greatness can be found.