7 Reasons Why You Should Witness the Panaad sa Negros Festival

Festivals or Fiestas have become a major part of life in the many provinces of the Philippines. These revelries not only showcases local traditions, it also provides an avenue for local residents to display their skills in cultural performances. Festivals also bind together; residents and visitors from all corners of the world, to join in the celebration of life and promotion of local culture. The Panaad sa Negros – which started in 1993, is one such festival that should be witnessed by everyone.

Held every month of April in Bacolod City, as a form of tribute and thanksgiving to divine providence, Panaad – which means “promise” in Hiligaynon, gathers together cultural performing contingents from the province’ 32 cities and municipalities into one single festival – therefore earning its moniker of the Mother of All Festivals.

To help convince you to book a flight ticket to Bacolod city next April, here are some reasons why you should witness the Panaad sa Negros Festival.

1. It is the Mother of all Festivals in Negros Occidental

The Panaad sa Negros is participated by all the province’ cities and municipalities. Come highlight weekend, the grand street dance competition becomes a melting pot of all the contingents performing their own respective festival themes and dances. If you are into festivals and would want to learn more about the different fiesta revelries of Negros Occidental, then the Panaad sa Negros should serve as the all-in one festival for you. This is the reason why many calls it as the mother of all festivals in Negros Occidental.

2. You get to Watch Different Street Dance Choreographies

Unlike most Philippine festivals where all performers follow an almost similar choreography, Panaad sa Negros boast of different dance routines as brought about by the different themes, the various contingents are trying to showcase. Because of this, viewers will never get bored in watching all 32 participating municipalities perform their street dance sequences.

3. The Panaad Showcases the Varying Cultures of Negros Occidental

All 32 cities and municipalities brings their respective festivals or fiestas for the world to see at the Panaad sa Negros. Doing so, each group are able to demonstrate each of their town’s culture and tradition by portraying a semblance of the local’s daily life, various traditions in practicing their faith and even their manner of livelihood. Watching each will give the audience an idea of life in the various communities in Negros Occidental.

4. Viewers are treated to a Glittering Display of Colorful Costumes

Each city and municipality marches inside the Panaad stadium wearing an array of diverse colorful costumes. Audience will definitely appreciate the fine artistry involved in creating the varying glitzy costumes of the performers. It is always a magnificent sight when one views all of them from the stands of the stadium; with each group wearing gleaming attires with intricate designs, fabrics and adorned with other ingenious accessories. Truly, the level of inventiveness when it comes to the crafting of the costumes of the street dance participants, turn notches higher during the Panaad sa Negros.

5. Each Performance Tells an Interesting Local Tale

Dissimilar dance choreographies, cultural portrayal and retelling of local tales makes the Panaad sa Negros’ Festival dance competition a must-watch event. By viewing each contingent, audience will learn more about other interesting local tales and parables that remains prevalently told in the various cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.

6. It is a Week-long Spectacle

What started as a three day event way back in 1993, has now morphed into a week-long spectacle. A number of fun events leading to the highlight weekend is held around Panaad Stadium. Concerts and other sporting competitions can be enjoyed by the audience at any day of the week. Booths showcasing local products of each cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental are built near the stadium, for visitors to shop and introduce themselves to the many local produce of the province.

7. Best of all Reasons, the Panaad gives you the best excuse to Explore Negros Occidental

Either you experienced the whole week-long celebration of the Panaad sa Negros or witnessed only the highlight weekend, you can’t leave without taking some side trips to the many beautiful attractions of Negros Occidental. For nature lovers and conservationists; Danjugan Island offers a quiet retreat to go along with learning about its model program of nature conservation.

History and heritage advocates would delight to know that the streets of Sipalay and Talisay are filled with century old houses that tells fascinating snippets of our history. The fine pristine sandy beaches of Silay rivals the best ones in the country. Of course, for the adventure seekers; the presence of Mount Kanlaon is hard to ignore. These are just a few of the many places in Negros Occidental where you can make your side trip after the Panaad sa Negros.

The province of Negros Occidental is known for dishing out many sweet surprises. When it comes to tourist attractions, it certainly delivers more astonishing and exciting destinations. Everything is almost here; culture, food, nature pots, friendly people and more. Better to discover all of it for yourself and what better way than to time your visit during next year’s installment of the Panaad Sa Negros.

This article was written by Marky Go of www.NomadicExperiences.com, Pinoy AdvenTurista's official representative to the Panaad sa Negros 2018.