BACOLOD City – The chief of the Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed support to tourism developments in Negros Occidental as she lauded the return of the Panaad sa Negros Festival after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m very grateful to the provincial government for inviting me to witness the story of the Negrense through the Panaad sa Negros Festival. I expect that this will highlight the heritage, culture, talent, and the life and times of this beautiful province,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco told reporters on the sidelines of the festival’s opening at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan on Monday afternoon, April 17.
Frasco was welcomed by local officials led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City’s Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at the start of the week-long event dubbed as the “festival of all festivals” and participated in by the 32 cities and municipalities in the province.
“Panaad” is the Hiligaynon word for “vow” or “promise.”
Other special guests during the opening ceremony included senators Francis Tolentino and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
In his message, Lacson said this year’s festival, themed “The Promise Renewed”, presents a deeper meaning after what the Negrenses went through the past three years, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic and the destruction caused by Typhoon “Odette.”
“After the manifold crises we went through, our promise to the Negrenses and the province must necessarily be renewed as circumstances continue to change and evolve,” he added.
Lacson pointed out that 30 years since its inception, the Panaad sa Negros “continues to be the embodiment of unity among Negrenses and our 32 local government units (LGUs).”
“(It) is the only one of its kind in the country. Yes, there are other festivals that are being participated by different provinces, towns, and cities, but it is only our Panaad that boasts of a permanent venue, with permanent structures showcasing the best of each and every LGU of the province,” the governor said.
Aside from the displays of the LGU pavilions, this year’s festivity also features the “Best of Negros Products” Trade Fair, Food Alley, Livelihood Village (Organic Village), Bamboo Negrense, Aton Ini! (Bamboo Village), and Provincial Veterinary Office Exhibit.
The Festival Dance Competition was held yesterday while the Lin-ay sang Negros pageant night is on April 21. (PNA)/PN
