THIS year's Buglasan Festival activities will be celebrated virtually or shown live via the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental's Facebook page.

Organizers and participant-performers are expected to follow the health and safety protocols set by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19.

The series of 32 events from October 15 to 24 are set for virtual or live production that can still be enjoyed by residents at home, said Dr. Nichol Elman, co-director of Buglasan Directorate in a local IATF meeting.

The Buglasan will open on October 15, featuring NegOrense talents from World Champions of Performing Arts and champions of the International Youth Fellowship Dance competition, among other dance and song presentations at 4 p.m. at the Provincial Convention Center.

This 40th Buglasan celebration banners the theme “Negros Oriental: Emerging Opportunities Amidst Life Challenges.”

Unlike before, the 10-day series of activities will be done virtually “as we continue to heal as one and battle the health crisis in the province as well as in the country,” said Elman.

While the province’s pandemic task force has prohibited large gatherings like festivals, it continues to warn the public from mass gathering due to concerns over the highly contagious Covid-19 Delta variant.

Meanwhile, as of October 12, a total of 151,161 residents in the province have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Provincial Contact Tracer Team Leader Dondee Señeres said there were 146,228 individuals who already received their first dose and are waiting for their second dose.

The province is still under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until October 31.

As of October 12, Negros Oriental has 2,317 active Covid-19 cases, 12,905 recoveries and 317 deaths. (PIA)