The province of Negros Occidental is home to different interesting festivals. Some of the most popular festivals in the province are Bacolod’s Masskara Festival, Sagay City’s Sinigayan, San Carlos City’s Pintaflores, and Cadiz City’s Ati-Atihan Festival. [Check out our list of the top tourist spots in Negros Occidental]
Too busy to witness all of these festivals? Don’t you worry! You can catch them all at the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival.
Panaad is a weeklong Thanksgiving celebration of the Negrenses and a showcase of the best of the province of Negros Occidental. It is known as the “Festivals of All Festival” in the province participated by its 32 towns and cities.
The festival has become an avenue for the towns and cities of Negros Occidental to showcase their cultural heritage, history and tourism potential.
The Panaad sa Negros Festival has been a Hall of Fame recipient of the Department of Tourism and the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines’ annual Pearl Awards. It was named the national winner in the Best Tourism Event (Provincial Festival Category) for three consecutive years in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Some of the Panaad sa Negros’ highlights are the 32 themed pavilions of the towns and cities of Negros Occidental, the Best of Festival Dances Competition, the Festival Costume Exhibition, and Lin-ay sang Negros Pageant.
The Best of Festival Dances Competition which happens right after the opening prgram is probably the most anticipated event of the festival. Imagine seeing performances from different festivals in the province. So, if you have limited time, I highly recommend you go there on the opening day and witness the Best of Festival Dances Competition.
This year’s Best of Festival Dances champion is Murcia’s Tinabuay Festival. Silay City’s Kansilay Festival was the first runner-up followed by Kabankalan City’s Udyakan Festival, La Castellan’s Bailes de Luces, and Bago City’s Babaylan Festival.
*** Thank you to the Provincial Tourism Office of Negros Occidental for taking care of Escape Manila along with the other bloggers during the Panaad sa Negros Festival 2019.
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Glen Nomad is a travel blogger and the founder of Escape Manila, one of the top travel blogs in the Philippines. He has visited all 82 provinces in the Philippines and has explored 53 countries across Asia, North & South America, East Africa, Europe, and Australia. Follow him on IG at @escapemanila