Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going South This Time Part1

Now that we're done with all the cities and municipalities on the northern part of Negros Occidental it's time to move down to the south.  Sit back, relax and enjoy.

BAGO CITY  -  the top rice producer in the province and is home to industries like the Maao Sugar Central, Viva Mineral water bottling plant, Ginebra San Miguel distilled products and the Alter Trade muscovado mill.

PULUPANDAN  - derived its name from the vernacular phrase “pulo sang pandan”, meaning “isle of pandan”, due to the wild forest of palms in the town during the early days before it became a bustling seaport. 

Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going East

Now that we're done with the cities and municipalities on the northern part of Negros Occidental, lets proceed to the two municipalites and one city on the eastern part.

MURCIA   -  Convergence of the North and South and where East meets West. Murcia is home to the province’s flagship tourism attraction, the scenic and romantic Mambukal Summer Resort., the Bacolod Golf and Country Club, the Tanduay Distillery  and PNOC Geothermal Power Plant.

DON SALVADOR BENEDICTO  -  Located at the center of the mountains of northern Negros Occidental.  Tagged as the "Little Baguio of Negros Occidental" because of the cool weather and the beautiful pine trees that lined the main road.

Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going North Part 2

MANAPLA  -  known for the Cartwheel church and the delicious Capulso Puto Manapla.  The town got its name from the wife of the capitan, fondly and respectfully called by the residents as Manang Pula.  Later, the Manang Pula as name of the town was shortened to Manapla, the name carried on until now.

CADIZ CITY  -  dried fish capital of Negros Occidental  and the famous tourist attraction, Lakawon Island Resort.

Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going North Part 1

Every year, the Panaad sa Negros Festival is always flocked by both local and international tourists to witness the week long celebration of  the "Mother of All Festivals".  Aside from the food and the activities lined up for the whole celebration, one of the reason that people purposely flock the Panaad Festival are the booths of different towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
I took the liberty to take photos of all the booths and what's in store for the visitors. To all Negrosanons on the other side of the planet, I hope these photos can make you feel like you've have been here celebrating the festival with us.

Let me start from my very own city, Bacolod City, then we''ll head north.  Okay?  Enjoy as I tour you around the Panaad Park.


BACOLOD CITY - dubbed as the City of Smile, the capital city of Negros Occidental, home of the Masskara Festival and the famous Chicken Inasal (grilled chicken).
The Balay Bacolodnon sa Panaad booth is a fusion of the old and new Bacolod., with the plaza gazebo and bandstand as icon of the city's old world charm and the New Government Center as symbol of the modern City of Bacolod surging ahead.

This giant mask greets the visitors on the entrance of Bacolod booth.

Panaad sa Negros Festival Dance Competition Part 3

Sinigayan Festival of Sagay City
An annual thanksgiving in honor of St. Joseph, showcasing the best of Sagay’s arts, culture, products, and people.

Manlambus Festival of Escalante
“Manlambus” is a Visayan term meaning “to strike with a club” - because its coastal waters were then teeming with fishes that catching them could be done simply by clubbing.

Babaylan Festival of Bago City
Babaylan Festival is based on the rituals performed by the Babaylans or shamans, like rituals on marriage, baptism, healing, harvest and others. Babaylans get their healing powers from the unseen spirits.

Sag-ahan Festival of Toboso
Sag-ahan is derived from the original name of the settlement near the Sag-ahan River many years ago In the local dialect “sag-ahan” means to take or catch fish with the hands, This method of fishing was popularly used due to the abundance of fish in the area.

Kalag-kalag Festival of Isabela
This Festival is celebrated during the All Soul’s Day to remember the departed. The dance routine depicts dead people, and some skeletons dancing to the drumbeats.

Bailes de Luces Festival of La Castellana
Its unique feature is the use of lights or “luces” as props and adornment and its nocturnal festivities and streetdancing.

Panaad sa Negros Festival Dance Competition Part 2

Pabalhas sa Tablas Festival of Candoni
Held every 11th of February, the concept of their festival originated from the actual history of Candoni when  group of settlers look for a land they can call their own.

Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos
Pintaflores is coined from the words Pintados, the concept behind the Nabingkalan Tattoo Festival, and the "flores", the Spanish word for flowers that dominated the theme of the Dances of Flowers. The Pintaflores street dancing and ritual competition highlights the annual Pintaflores festival every November 3-5.

Panaad sa Negros Festival Dance Competition Part 1

Last Monday I was able to witness the Festival Dance competition, another first time for me, during the opening of the 18th Panaad sa Negros Festival 2011.  Here I'll be sharing some of the photos I've taken and a little information about the festival.

Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City

KADALAG-AN symbolizes the many victories achieved by the people against adversities in life. This is in addition to the literal translation of Victorias which is victory. Falls on the 21st of March which is also the city's Charter anniversary.

Lubay-Lubay Festival of Cauayan

Held every 25th of Janauary, Lubay-Lubay portrays and preserves the early cultures of Cauayanons in facing the adversity of life as well as the abundance and prosperity endowed by the Almighty One.