Panaad sa Negros

Panaad sa Negros Festival

Introduction

Capture the essence of Negros Occidental in the annual celebration of Panaad sa Negros Festival every April in Bacolod City.

Dubbed the “Festival of Festivals”, Panaad (Hiligaynon for a vow and its fulfillment) is a colorful and jubilant presentation of individual festivals of the 13 cities and 19 municipalities of Negros Occidental. It presents Bacolod City’s famous Masskara, La Carlota’s rhythmic Pasalamat, San Carlos City’s multi-awarded Pintaflores, Kabankalan City’s Sinulog, Bago City’s Babaylan, Escalante City’s Manlambus, Sagay City’s Sinigayan, Cadiz City’s Dinagsa, Mambukal’s Mudpack, San Enrique’s Bulang-Bulang, La Castellana’s Bailes de Luces, Don Salvador Benedicto’s Kali-Kalihan, and many more.

It brings together the 32 LGUs in an array of theme booths that showcase their history, arts and culture, tourism, commerce, trade and industry, in the 25-hectare eucalyptus trees-lined Panaad Park and Sports Complex.

Panaad is also a time renewing bonds or initiating friendships. The festival attracts most of the 2.6 million-strong Negrenses, their balikbayan relatives and friends, who get a glimpse of the best offerings of the towns and cities in a tour of the uniquely designed booths, as well as in cultural presentations and friendly competitions for beauty, talent, skills, and in sports. Free shows or concerts by popular Manila-based artists add fun and excitement to the festivities. The fun continues in the food and drinks alley that offer the famous chicken inasal, grilled fish and seafood, including various shellfish, oysters, and scallops. Local bands perform nightly till way past midnight in the food and drinks alley.

Panaad also features the gains the province has achieved in its diversification efforts and its priority agenda, particularly in Food Sufficiency and Agricultural Productivity. It is seriously developing its rice and corn industries and positioning livestock as its second major industry, next to sugar.

Bacolod is the gateway to the province of Negros Occidental, often referred to as the land of genteel people and large sugar plantation.

Authentic 1912 steam locomotives and well-preserved ancestral homes serves as reminders of the sugar barons and rich Spanish families in the past.

Negros Occidental’s wealth has always been in its land, its charm in its people, its pride in its cuisine.

The land is where the wealth of the province originated and continues to emulate. The once lucrative sugar industry has started to give way to other profitable industries like prawn culture, cutflower and handicraft for export. Negros Occidental is blessed with one beautiful natural scenery, explored waterfalls and mountains, white sand and cristal springs.

Its people with their endearing lilting accent are known for their easygoing, old world charm and gracious hospitality. They have natural knack for entertaining which is best experienced during MassKara, a mardi gras festival in October when there is merrymaking in the streets and parties at private homes in its capital, Bacolod. The people are also famous for their unrivalled good taste which is evident in the exquisite arts and crafts that they produced for the local and export markets.

Negros Occidental’s cuisine is legendary. Its mouthwatering dishes rank among the best that the islands have to offer. It is particularly popular for sugar-based food items and delicacies. From upscale restaurants to wayside eateries, one can sample the heavenly concoctions this land is famous for.

A beautiful land, charming peple and delectable cuisine. this elements makes for a destination that is best when experience. Bacolod and Negros Occidental promises t be destination like no other a breath of fresh air, away from harried pace of city life.