• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
The Municipality of Pulupandan in Negros Occidental celebrated its 21st Salapan Festival and 109th Annual Town Fiesta on February 21 with the theme: “Heritage in Motion-One Beat, One Salapan Spirit.”
Six clustered barangays participated in this year’s Salapan Festival street and arena dance competition. Tribu Pagcubay – Quatro, composed of Barangays Pag-ayon, Culo, Ubay, and Zone 4 was declared this year’s champion. They also bagged special awards including Best in Choreography, Best in Costume, and Best in Street Dancing.
Tribu Baskugan, composed of Barangays Zone 1A, Zone 5, Patic, Palaka Sur was first runner-up, while Tribu Bugana, composed of Barangays Zone 2, Cross. Pulup, Mabini, and Palaka Norte was second runner-up.
In attendance during the highlights of the festivities were Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña, Vice Mayor Genary Suatengco, SKF president Michael John Bais, 2026 Salapan Festival Committee chairman Marie Grace Cepida, and vice chairman Rona Mae Galimba, other municipal officials and department heads.*
