BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental’s Provincial Board approved Wednesday a budget of PHP6.2 million in financial assistance for 31 local government units (LGUs) participating in the 25th Panaad sa Negros Festival.
Negros Occidental’s 12 component cities and 19 municipalities will receive PHP200,000 each.
Bacolod City, capital of the province, also joins the annual “Festival of all Festivals” but does not receive financial assistance from the Capitol, being a highly-urbanized city.
This year’s edition of the award-winning Panaad sa Negros Festival will be held on April 14-22 with the theme, “Panaad @ 25: The Promise Fulfilled”.
The participating LGUs will compete for the Best Destination Pavilion award. For 2018, competition is themed, “Panaad Through the Years: 25 Reasons to Visit my Town”.
The LGU-themed pavilions are located at the 25-hectare Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan in this city.
Each pavilion must depict the unique characteristic of the LGU, feature directional signages leading to the town, and showcase its best attractions, local products, and investments.
The pavilions will be judged according to physical attraction and presentation (35 percent); marketing and promotion (35 percent); level of service (10 percent); and “gimik” or element of surprise (20 percent).
Another LGU-participated event is the Festival Dance Competition, where entries will depict the unique character of each town festival in a colorful and jubilant presentation, depending on their theme or concept.
The performances will be judged according to choreography (relevance to the theme, clarity of ideas presented and composition) for 30 percent; performance (mastery, unity and precision, skills and technique, discipline, dynamics) for 30 percent; theme/concept (depicts the unique character of the festival) for 25 percent; and production design (costume, hand props, visual impact) for 15 percent.
Among the famous festivals of Negros Occidental are La Castellana’s Bailes de Luces, La Carlota City’s Pasalamat, Kabankalan City’s Udyakan, Cadiz City’s Dinagsa, San Carlos City’s Pintaflores, and Bago City’s Babaylan. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)