San Carlos wins 17th Panaad sa Negros Dance Competition
The opening ceremony. Every year Negros occidental celebrated Panaad sa Negros.
San Carlos City’s Pinta Flores performers bagged the first place in the Best of Festivals Dance Competition at the start of the 17th Panaad sa Negros Festival of Negros Occidental at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, Saturday afternoon
In second place was Isabela’s Kalag-Kalag Festival performers and third placers were La Carlota’s Pasalamat Festival performers, provincial tourism officer Jennylind Cordero said.
The dance competition participated in by performers from 19 towns and cities drew a crowd of about 10,000, including provincial officials and mayors.
Winners of the dance festival will receive P70,000 for first place, P50,000 for second and P30,000 for third.
Winners in the float competition during a motorcade from the Capitol to the Panaad Park and Stadium were Cadiz City – first place, Bago City – second and Bacolod City – third.
The festival that ends Saturday also features a tourism and trade fair at the Local Government Unit pavilions, Negros Best Products Display, Organic na Negros Agri Fest, Festival Costumes Exhibit and Competition, Eco-Garden and Wellness Show, and a motor show, on top of other daily entertainment activities.
Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco, who declared the festival open, called on the public to visit the festival where many events are being held.
The festival is a showcase of what Negros Occidental can offer to the world, he said.
He noted that the festival has drawn visitors from various parts of the province, country and the world, that is a boost to the local economy.
Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta, speaker at the Panaad opening ceremonies, said the Panaad sa Negros Festival is something very unique because it is the only festival in the country that has a permanent venue.
It is a showcase of Negrense lifestyle and an engine that can stimulate economic growth, he said, citing the province for its trailblazing and innovative tourism thrust.
“This is a very unifying festival in a big province like Negros,” he said.
He also noted that the festival has also become a major economic activity for the festival participants.
The DOT thrust for Negros Occidental is in sports and adventure tourism, Trompeta said
For sports, Trompeta cited the province’s three golf courses and its Panaad facilities.
