20K watch Panaad sa Negros Festival opening

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An estimated crowd of 20,000 flocked to the opening day of the weeklong 19th Panaad sa Negros Festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan Bacolod City last Monday.

Panaad Festival executive director Ma. Lina Sanogal said the crowd at the Panaad Stadium during the opening ceremonies alone reached 12,000, and another 8,000 were roaming around the 32 LGU pavilions in the Panaad Park.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., in his welcome message, said he was proud of the Panaad Festival as it showcased Negros Occidental’s delicious food, colorful festivals, and even pretty ladies at the Lin-ay sang (Muse of) Negros pageant.

The success of the 19th Panaad Festival was manifested by the increasing number of guests and tourists who flocked to the event each year, he said, as he challenged Negrenses to stay united to ensure the continued growth and development of the province.

This year’s Panaad Festival highlights the theme “19 Years of Panaad sa Negros: More Food, Fun and Festivals.”

For the Festival Dance competition, San Carlos City’s Pintaflores Festival ably defended its last year’s crown to win the P70,000 grand prize.

Binalbagan town’s Balbagan Dance Festival won second place with P60,000 cash prize, La Castellana town’s Bailes de Luces won third place and P50,000, Isabela’s Tigkalalag Festival won fourth place (P40,000); and Bago City’s Babaylan Festival won fifth place (P30,000).

In the Best in Float contest, Sagay City was the winner in the city category, while San Enrique town won in the municipal category. - THE FREEMAN