The 29th edition of the Panaad sa Negros Festival, the festival of all festivals of Negros Occidental, which showcases the unique treasures of the 32 towns and cities on Negros Occidental was off to a festive start at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on Monday, March 24.
The Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City and the Bailes de Luces of La Castellana town were the champions in the Best of Festival Dances competition at the Panaad Monday night.
The Sidlak Kadalag-an performers at the Panaad.*Ronnie Baldonado photo
Victorias City is a grand slam winner – having won the Best of Festival Dances championship in the city category three times.
It bested 12 other festivals in the city category on Monday.
The other winners in the city category are: 1st runner up – Kansilay Festival of Silay City, 2nd runner up – Pinta Flores Festival of San Carlos City, 3rd runner up – Al Cinco de Noviembre of Bago City and 4th runner up – Dinagsa Festival of Cadiz City.
Bailes de Luces of La Castellana bested 12 other festivals that competed in the municipal category.
The other winners in the municipal category are: 1st runner up – Manang Pula of Manapla, 2nd runner up – Lilas Pandan of Calatrava, 3rd runner up – Tinabuay Festival of Murcia and 4th runner up – Kali-kali Festival of Don Salvador Benedicto.
The Bailes de Luces of La Castellana at the Panaad Monday night*Ronnie Baldonado photo
The festival drew a crowd of 18,000 on opening night, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.
“This year, we are set for an inclusive celebration like no other,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said in his speech during the opening program.
Lacson said the Panaad sa Negros Festival “is a stage where each of our 32 Local Government Units proudly showcases the unique treasures of their towns and cities, their traditions, their products, and their stories – stories that define the very essence of being Negrense”.
The theme of this year’s weeklong Panaad sa Negros Festival is “The Future Unfolds.”
“We are not merely celebrating the present, we are unveiling the future. We are unfolding a future where every Negrense can prosper, where our traditions are honored and where our potential is limitless,” Lacson said.
“Panaad” is the Hiligaynon word for vow or promise.
The pavilions of the 32 towns and cities of Negros Occidental also opened Monday featuring their crafts, food and tourist attractions.
On Monday morning the governor also led the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for an art fair, food security and technology showcase, food alley, and livestock and dairy fair.
STAMP AND SNAP
Festival executive director Charina Magallanes-Tan said one of the new features at the festival is the Panaad Stamp and Snap where guests are given a “passport” to be stamped at the LGU pavilions they visit.
“It is a contest to encourage everyone to visit all the pavilions,” she said.
When the “passport” is filled up it will be dropped in drop box for a raffle that will include an iPhone 16 among the prizes, she said.
Lacson said they are keeping the festival apolitical so they have not invited any national candidates to the festival.*