• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The fifth staging of the Bacolod Rum Festival, from August 28 to 30 in Bacolod City, will feature a streetdance competition, float competition, rum education, and music festival that will bring in special guests such as Ariel Sol Robleso Timido, Zac Tabudlo and Mayonnaise Band.
Opening ceremonies and “Rum Appreciation Night” will be held on August 28, while the food park will be open from Aug. 28 to 31 at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.
Eight barangays will participate in the streetdance competition and parade, along with a music festival and a motorcade featuring Tanduay Ambassadors Derek Ramsay and Julia Barretto, which will be held during the culmination day on Aug. 30
“The festival was born out of our intention to promote Bacolod outside of the city as home of the world’s number one rum,” said Bacolod Councilor Em Ang, author of City Ordinance No.898 that gave birth to the festival.
They will be conducting a rum education campaign this year for non-alcohol drinkers to make them understand what rum is all about, she said, adding that it is a byproduct of sugar.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said the 5th Bacolod Rum Festival in partnership with Tanduay is more than a series of events – “it is a celebration of our sugarcane and rum heritage. Rum is not just a drink here; it is a living symbol of our history. From the fertile fields of Negros to the distilleries that transform sugarcane into world-class spirits, rum has sustained our economy, flavored our festivities, and inspired our creativity for generations. And the timing could not be more perfect — because August is Rum Month around the world.”
This year’s theme, “Natatagong Galing,” perfectly reflects the spirit of Bacolod and the Filipino people. We are a city and a nation full of hidden talents, skills, and creativity, ready to be seen and celebrated. Through this festival, we give our artists, dancers, chefs, and craftsmen a stage to shine — and we show the world that Bacolod is not just a place of smiles, but a place of passion, resilience, and artistry. But there is another role that this festival proudly serves — and that is Rum Education, the mayor said.
This festival strengthens Bacolod’s image as a vibrant, creative, and welcoming city – a place where heritage and modernity come together in the most festive way, Gasataya added.*
