THE BUZZ about celebrity concerts during the Panaad Sa Negros Festival, scheduled for March 24-26, is nothing short of malapropos — inappropriate in every sense. Why? Because it shows a complete lack of sensitivity to the plight of over 5,000 evacuees still displaced by the ongoing Kanlaon crisis in La Castellana and La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
It is deeply disheartening to hear that the provincial capitol, particularly the Panaad Festival committee headed by Cha-Cha Magallanes, continues to promote these upcoming concerts via social media. The festival, often called the “mother of all festivals” in Negros Occidental, is being advertised with excitement despite the ongoing crisis.
Among the celebrity performers slated for the 29th Panaad sa Negros Festival are Original Pinoy Music (OPM) Queen Moira de la Torre on March 25, Rico Blanco and Janella Salvador on March 29, and Parokya Ni Edgar on March 30.
But as the names of these performers are announced, what immediately comes to mind? Talent fees — and the millions of pesos that will undoubtedly be spent on them.
See the problem?
RUNNING OUT OF BUDGET
Then, on March 10, an unscripted moment occurred when Donato Sermeno III, OIC of the Office of the Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region, spoke candidly to the Bacolod media. He revealed that local government units (LGUs) affected by the ongoing series of Kanlaon eruptions since December 2024 are now turning to the national government, desperately asking — or even begging — for additional funds to continue feeding their evacuees.
In short, the worst-hit LGUs are clearly running out of budget, right?
Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II announced that this year’s 29th Panaad sa Negros Festival has a budget of P30 million. And on Facebook, Miss Cha-Cha proudly shared the news of Moira de la Torre’s performance, calling her the “Hugot Queen” because of her hit song “Paubaya”.
So, P30 million for Panaad, while the Kanlaon crisis continues to ravage the province?
A LITTLE SPARK
Well, the decision to hold the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival amidst the threat of Kanlaon Volcano was meant to provide a “little spark of light” amid the challenges, as Diaz previously stressed.
“We need to bring back the spirit of joy to our people,” he added.
Oh, really? Will Moira de la Torre and the other performers be gracing the stages in La Castellana and La Carlota where the Kanlaon evacuees are staying?
Nope! They will only perform at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Literally speaking, Bacolod is 54.2 kilometers away from La Castellana and 35.3 kilometers from La Carlota.
So, may I ask: Where’s the logic in the statement about a “little spark” and bringing joy to the people?
HOT MEALS
Another point to consider is that, as of March 7, Sermeno announced that the provision of daily hot meals for Kanlaon evacuees has been halted. He is now urging the affected LGUs to tap into their 2025 Quick Response Fund (QRF) to continue providing assistance. (Yesterday, March 14, the hot meals for evacuees have been restored.)
So, lack of funds becomes the next tragedy.
Now, where’s the connection here? The Capitol will be spending P30 million on the Panaad Festival — for Moira de la Torre, Rico Blanco, Parokya Ni Edgar, and Janella Salvador. Meanwhile, LGUs affected by the Kanlaon crisis are struggling to find funds to feed their evacuees.
Why spend P30 million on this festival when thousands of evacuees are still at the mercy of donations?
Can’t the province host a more modest Panaad Festival this year, like what Bago City did for its Charter Day celebration and Babaylan Festival last February? Or follow the examples of Bago and La Castellana, which canceled their Festival of Lights and Bailes de Luces, respectively, in January?
‘YAMMERING VS WHINING’
In sum, the current scenario boils down to “yammering versus whining.”
The organizers behind the 2025 Panaad sa Negros Festival continue yammering about this and that in the coming days. Meanwhile, Sermeno is indirectly whining about the grim situation faced by the Kanlaon evacuees, especially as the lack of funds threatens to become a serious issue.
But what if, during the 7-day Panaad Festival, Kanlaon erupts explosively, as projected by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and Task Force Kanlaon?
It’s important to note that Panaad Park and Stadium has already been identified by Task Force Kanlaon as one of the evacuation centers should the still-restive volcano unleash another eruption. Around 5,000 people are expected to be evacuated and sheltered in this provincial government-owned sports stadium.
Yes, the Capitol is “ready” for any eventuality. So, in the worst-case scenario, the Panaad sa Negros Festival will be canceled.
WASTE OF MONEY
But what about the talent fees for Moira and the others? Will they be canceled too? I doubt it!
For sure, the outcome will be a waste of money. Cancelling their performances just a week before the contract is fulfilled is a no-go for event organizers. The principal party in any signed contract is legally bound to pay the talent fees, among other financial considerations stipulated in the agreement. That’s the reality.
Is Gov. Bong Lacson aware of this? Or is he truly sensitive to the plight of the Kanlaon evacuees?
Can he afford to cheer with the crowd “going gaga” over the performers? Or will he stand by and deliver his message of jubilation while thousands of evacuees remain stranded, hoping to return home?
Well, let’s wait and see. /PN
