• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
The Municipality of Calatrava once again proved its excellence on the provincial stage, shining brightly at the recently concluded 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival.
The town brought home an impressive haul of awards, cementing its reputation as a rising star among Negros Occidental’s local government units.
Calatrava’s pavilion, which showcased a captivating cave theme alongside features of the town’s famously friendly monkeys, earned high praise from festival judges. The unique design was awarded first runner-up for Panaad Best Destination Pavilion in the Municipal Category, a testament to the creativity and cultural pride embedded in the town’s presentation.
Calatrava’s festival costume entry continued to excel through the festival’s costume display, adding another remarkable chapter to Panaad’s history. Known for its locally sourced products made from pandan leaves, Calatrava also made its mark in the Indigenous Category of the Best Festival Costume competition. The municipality secured second runner-up honors, with the winning costume designed by the talented Kenny Salem.
The festival costume was inspired by the vibrant spirit of the Lilas Pandan Festival, proudly showcasing the community’s rich weaving heritage—where traditions, artistry, and unity come together as one.
The town’s commitment to sustainability did not go unnoticed. Calatrava brought home not one but two championship trophies for environmental governance: LGU Compliant with SWM R.A. 9003 (the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) and LGU with Best SWM Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign. These wins highlight the local government’s effective programs on waste segregation, reduction, and public awareness.
Throughout the seven-day festivities, Calatrava emerged as a commercial powerhouse. The municipality was named Top Grosser for the municipal category and, even more notably, the overall Top Grosser among all 32 participating LGUs, racking up over P4 million in sales. The bustling pavilion offered a variety of pandan-based products, local delicacies, and crafts that drew crowds of eager buyers.
Adding to the town’s pride, Calatrava’s very own Glyzel Bayona was named Lin-ay sa Negros 2026 fourth runner-up. Her graceful performance and poised representation of Calatrava brought additional honor to her hometown, rounding off a truly memorable festival week for the municipality.
With these back-to-back wins, Calatrava has set a high bar for future Panaad sa Negros festivals, proving that small towns can make a big impact through culture, creativity, and community spirit.
The awards were presented during the closing ceremony of the 30th edition of Panaad sa Negros by Festival Executive Director Charina Magallanes-Tan and Board Member Hope Marey Depasucat Sazon to Calatrava’s Tourism Officer Amirose Lavilla, on behalf of Mayor Marilyn Era and Vice Mayor Florido Dinapo.*
