The 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival ended on Sunday, April 19, with sales topping that of three other previous festivals.
“As we conclude our 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival, let us cherish the peaceful and successful celebration we had this year,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said at the closing rites at the Panaad Stadium.
Sales hit P23.7 million on day six of the festival, with the amount for Sunday yet to be included, Provincial Administrator Rayfrado Diaz said.
The day six amount is higher than the seven-day sales during the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Panaad sa Negros Festivals, Diaz said.
The top grosser in the city category was Cadiz, and Calatrava in the municipal category.
“We have proven that when we all help each other, we can achieve even greater dreams,” Lacson said in his speech, adding he is proud of every Negrense’s resilience and creativity, despite the economic challenges in our midst.
“To everyone who entered our competitions, along with our Lin-ay sang Negros candidates, you have been an inspiration and the pride of our province. We are happy that you became a part of Panaad by showcasing your ability and talent,” he said.
Lacson also thanked the security forces and all those behind the staging of the festival for its success.
“As we close this chapter of Panaad sa Negros 2026, let us carry forward the spirit of unity and progress that this festival embodies. Through our unity, the future of our province will be bright,” he said.
The festival winners announced during the closing rites were:
Best of Festival Dances (City Category)
Champion – Silay City Kansilay Festival, 1st runner up – San Carlos City Pintaflores Festival, 2nd runner up – Talisay City Minuluan Festival, 3rd runner-up – Kabankalan City Sinulog De Kabankalan, 4th runner-up Cadiz City – Dinagsa Festival and Best Video Intro – San Carlos City – Pintaflores Festival
Best of Festival Dances (Municipality Category)
Champion – Isabela Tigkalalag Festival, 1st runner up – La Castellana Bailes De Luces, 2nd runner-up – Murcia Tinabuay Festival, 3rd runner-up – Ilog Kisi-Kisi Festival, 4th runner up – EB Magalona Ugyonan Festival and Best Video Intro – La Castellana Bailes de Luces
Folk Dance Competition (Rural Category)
Champion – Murcia Immaculate Concepcion Folk Dance Troupe, 1st runner up – Sagay City Balangaw Dance Troupe and 2nd runner up – Silay City Kabataang Silay Performing Arts
Folk Dance Competition (Western Influence Category)
Champion – Cadiz City Mahidaiton Dance Troupe of Dr. VFGMNHS, 1st runner up – Bacolod City Baile Negrense, and 2nd runner up – Kabankalan City Saot Bangkal Dance Theater
Festival Costume (Indigenous Category)
Best Festival Costume – Pontevedra – Mark Joseph Sabando, 1st runner up – Cadiz City – Santiago Onatin, and 2nd runner up – Calatrava – Kenny Montemayor Salem
Festival Costume (Colorful Category)
Best Festival Costume – San Carlos City – Richardson Apayla, 1st runner up – Bago City – Jeremiah Gazo, and 2nd runner up – Pulupandan – Romnick Castañeda
Visual Arts Competition
Champion- Hinigaran – Bejay P. Songcog, 1st runner up – Ilog – Kyn Lance G. Gelvero, 2nd runner up – San Enrique – Dennis Lecaniel, and 3rd runner-up – Manapla – Paulo Samson
Pop Dance Competition
Champion – Cadiz City – V.M.D.T (Vicentinian Maraynon Dagyaw Theatre), 1st runner up – Talisay City – Krispy: Mix & Match; and 2nd runner up – Bacolod City – Counterclockwise
Latin Dance Sports (Juvenile)
Champion – San Carlos City – Prince Zion Baldomar and Sandrei Gaff C. Cena, 1st runner up – Talisay City – King Mckenzi A. Pelimiano and Zoie Antonnette A. Llanes, and 2nd runner up – Himamaylan City – Zabdiel Rei T. Tacapan and Precious Ely O. Bañez
Latin Dance Sports (Third Kind)
Champion – Bago City – Rhen B. Villarta and Kryssvon S. Dela Cruz; 1st runnerup – Talisay City – Glenn Mark F. Paulite and Jonard A. Pelemiano, and 2nd runner up – Himamaylan City – Seg Benedict G. Yana and RV S. Subardiaga
Latin Dance Sports (Amateur)
Champion – Himamaylan City – Jack David Agustin and Yca Shaneen S. Akol; 1st runner up – Ilog – Rowell A. Oreta and Skylah Angelic S. Embarque, and 2nd runner-up – Valladolid – Jhuilian Ralph D. Abaquita and Ion A. Mangao
Battle of the Bands
Champion – The Maverick (Kabankalan City), 1st runner up – Kamighon Band and 2nd runner up – Bandang Riles
Special Awards: Best Keyboardist, Bassist, Guitarist, Lead Vocalist, and Musicality – The Maverick, and Best Drummer and Best in Cover Song – Kamighon
Drumbeating Competition
Champion – La Carlota City – Tribu RSB New Gen, 1st runner up – San Carlos City – Vamos Drumbeaters and 2nd runner up – Cadiz City – Markados Drumbeater
Pop Song Writing Competition
Champion – La Castellana – Kyla Faye Maree Servicio-Pille, 1st runner up – Bacolod City – Royce John Solquillo, and 2nd runner up – Escalante City – Kim V. Gequilan
Pop Song Best Interpreter
Champion – Escalante City – Shilo Sharisse S. Soliva, 1st runner up – Bacolod City – Louella Navea and 2nd runner-up – Victorias City – Rocelle Jeanne Solquillo
LGU Booth (RA-9003 Compliant)
City Category: Sipalay City – first place, Sagay City – second place and San Carlos City – third place
Municipality Category: Calatrava – first place, Murcia – second place and Manapla – third place
Best Destination Pavilion
City Category: Champion – Talisay City, 1st runner up – Bacolod City, 2nd runner up – Sipalay City, 3rd runner up – Cadiz City and 4th runner up – Bago City
Municipality Category: Champion – La Castellana, 1st runner up – Calatrava, 2nd runner up – Manapla, 3rd runner up – Murcia and 4th runner up – Cauayan
Cheerdance Competition
Champion – CBA All Star, 1st Runner-up – 6108 CHheerdance Squad, and 2nd runner up – Totep Squad
Panaad Top Grosser Award
City Category: Top Grosser – Cadiz City, 2nd – San Carlos City and 3rd -Himamaylan City
Municipality Category: Top Grosser – Calatrava, 2nd – Cauayan , and 3rd – Hinigaran*
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