Bacolod City, Sipalay City, and Sagay City emerged as grand winners in three categories each during the 2026 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards, held in Ormoc City, Leyte, on Wednesday evening, October 21.
Bacolod City secured three grand winner awards: Best Tourism Promotions Brochure for Bacolod City: Your Pocket Guide to Experience the City of Smiles, Best Local Event Hosting for the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival, and Best International Event Hosting for Terra Madre Asia and Pacific.
Bacolod also placed first runner-up in two categories: Best Sports Tourism Event for the MassKaraLympics 2025 and Best Tourism Event Cultural Festival for the Bacolod MassKara Festival 2025.
SIPALAY CITY
Sipalay City also claimed three grand winner titles in the Component City Category. Their awards include Best Tourism Month/Week Celebration for the 19th Sipalay City Tourism Month Celebration, Best Practices on Sustainable Tourism for the Sipalay City Green BEaCH – A Climate Resiliency Park, and Best Tourism-Oriented LGU for Sipalay City: Sustainability Beyond the Shoreline.
SAGAY CITY
Sagay City was recognized as the Grand Winner in three categories as well: Best Practices in Community-Based Tourism for A Maze of Wonders, A Lifeline for All: The Lapus-Lapus Community-Based Tourism Story, Best Tourism Souvenir (Non-Food Category) for From Waste to Wear: Bilidhon Upcycled Accessories, and Best Tourism Promotions Brochure.
OTHER WINNERS
The Negros Occidental provincial government’s Sabor sang Buglas: The Food Guide of Negros Occidental placed first runner-up for Best Tourism Promotions Brochure.
The guide highlights the province’s culinary heritage, featuring local delicacies, farm produce, desserts, beverages, and pasalubong, alongside a map highlighting culinary stops across every municipality and city.
Bago City was named second runner-up for Best Practice in Community-Based Tourism for its entry, Slow Food Community: Safeguarding and Preserving the Food and Cultural Heritage of Bago.*
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