Bacolod City is preparing to host three major events in the final quarter of 2026, with an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 athletes and delegates expected for the Batang Pinoy national youth sports competition.
Mayor Greg Gasataya announced the city’s preparations for the MassKara Festival in October, Batang Pinoy 2026 and the Metro Manila Film Festival’s first simultaneous Parade of Stars in December during Bacolod Day at the 40th Negros Trade Fair in Taguig City, Sept. 26.
Gasataya said the events are expected to bring more visitors to Bacolod and generate opportunities for local businesses.
“This will be a very busy quarter for the City of Bacolod, and this will redound to the benefit of the people of Bacolod and, as much as possible, every business in Bacolod and Negros Occidental,” he said.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, who joined Gasataya at the event, said athletes, coaches, officials and delegates from more than 200 local government units are expected to arrive in Bacolod for Batang Pinoy 2026.
Gregorio encouraged local businesses to prepare for the influx of visitors, particularly food establishments serving Bacolod’s chicken inasal.
“This will be a very, very big event. As I was telling the mayor, please make sure the inasal will be enough,” he said.
Gasataya also announced that Bacolod is among the five finalists for this year’s Most Business-Friendly City award of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He thanked the Association of Negros Producers for organizing the annual Negros Trade Fair, which provides a venue for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products to customers in Metro Manila.
The Bacolod City booth at the trade fair features locally made products, crafts, food and creative enterprises, along with displays inspired by the city’s MassKara Festival.
The 40th Negros Trade Fair, organized by the Association of Negros Producers, concludes Sunday, Sept. 27, at SM Aura in Taguig City.*
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