• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Panaad sa Negros is officially back, after a three-year hiatus.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer yesterday led the launching of new Panaad logo, during the official launching of the Panaad sa Negros 2023, at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena, who joined Gov. Lacson, Vice Gov. Ferrer, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, and Capitol executives, as well as employees, during the launch yesterday, said that the Panaad sa Negros Festival on April 17 to 23, will feature the “best of the best products” of Negros Occidental.
Decena, who is also the designated Festival Director, disclosed that preparations are underway, involving different tourism officers, Panaad coordinators, and local government units.
This year’s festival will showcase “the very best of Negros Occidental.”
Decena also disclosed that preparations in terms of logistics and physical arrangements at the Panaad Park and Stadium are well underway, adding that those who have received national, regional or regional recognition for their products will be located in one area, and another area is set aside for emerging products.
“This is something to look forward to. This is the plan of the province, to really help those developing and emerging suppliers to excel,” Decena added.
We have confirmed national guests, but for security reasons we still can’t disclose who they are and when they will arrive, she pointed out, adding that they also invited the international partners of the provincial government, particularly the Australian government.
Three major concerts, dubbed “Konsyerto ni Gov,” set during the opening, midway and closing of the festival, will feature popular nationally-known bands such as Rivermaya, December Avenue, and Itchyworms.
Decena further said that some showbiz celebrities will also be arriving.
The festival dubbed the “mother of all festivals in Negros,” was suspended for three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Named after the Hiligaynon word for “vow” or “promise”, the Panaad sa Negros showcases 32 themed pavilions of each city and municipality of the province, including the capital Bacolod City, designed either as replicas of their own municipal or city hall, or their most famous products, at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
This year’s edition of the annual festival will have a budget of P25 million.*
