Tuesday, April 18, 2006
All systems go for Panaad Festival
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
BUDGET, security and all other preparations are in place for this year's Panaad sa Negros Festival which is set to open on April 22.
"Its all systems go," declared Governor Joseph Marañon Monday.
With the theme "Tatak Negros (Proudly Negros Made)," this year's Panaad Festival will be simple yet meaningful as it will showcase the best of best of Negros Occidental from the various festivals and cultural presentations, sports events, presentation of local products, marine and agricultural produce and even Negrense beauties.
Cities and municipalities that are set to present their festival dances during the opening rites are San Carlos's Pintaflores, Sipalay's Pasaway, Silay's Kansilay, Talisay's Minulu-an, Victoria's Malihaw, Bacolod's Masskara, Cadiz's Dinagsa, Bago's Babaylan, Escalante's Manlambus, Himamaylan's Himaya-an, Kabankalan's Sinulog, Sagay's Sinigayan and La Carlota's Pasalamat.
Also in showcase are Calatrava's Hudyaw, Binalbagan's Lumbayag, Candoni's Pabalhas sa Tablas, Cauayan's Lubay-Lubay, EB Magalona's Ugyonan, Don Salvador Benedicto's Kali-Kalihan, Hinigaran's Hinugyaw, Hinoba-an's Pagbana-ag, Ilog's Kisi-Kisi and Isabela's Tigkalalag; La Castellana's Bailes de Luces, Manapla's Pinta Puto, Moises Padilla's Magayon, Murcia's Tinabu-ay, Pontevedra's Ponte Piedra, Pulupandan's Salapan, San Enrique's Bulang-Bulang, Toboso's Sag-ahan and Valladolid's Humay-Humay.
Aside from the festival dances, various competitions will be staged such as Folk Dance, Pop Dance, Negros Pop Idol, Songwriting, Latin Dance and Banda Diri, Banda Didto (Drum and Bugle).
Concerts by various local and national bands will also rock the Panaad Park and Stadium from day one until the celebration caps on April 30.
Sports events like cycling tour of Negros, boxing, BMX competition, taekwondo, volleyball, chess and athletics will also make the celebration more vibrant.
Fireworks display will also take center stage on the opening and closing ceremonies.
Not to be missed is the search for Lin-ay sang Negros 2006 on April 29, the festival's highlights.
Twenty-six lovely ladies from the different towns and cities will vie for the plum.
No less than the reigning Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman and former Miss International Aurora Pijuan will be the guests of honor during the coronation night to be held at the Panaad Stadium.
Organizers of the festival, however, are still waiting for a confirmation if President Arroyo will arrive on April 28 for the Vice Mayors' Night.
It is confirmed, on the other hand, that Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno will not be able to grace the festival's opening rites because of his previous commitments, Marañon disclosed.
(April 18, 2006 issue)
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