BACOLOD CITY, March 18 (PNA) -– The Province of Negros Occidental will hold the 21st Panaad sa Negros Festival on March 31 to April 6 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan here.
This year’s theme is “Organik na Negros: Rising to the Challenge of Globalization in 2015!”
The opening ceremonies at 4 p.m. on March 31 will feature the Festival Dances Competition participated in by groups from the towns and cities of the province.
Panaad Festival executive director Ma. Lina Sanogal said the theme focuses on the promotion of organic agriculture in Negros Occidental as an answer to the challenges of 2015 and beyond when tariffs for imported products, including sugar, are lowered because of the implementation of the Asean Free Trade Area-Common Effective Preferential Treatment.
Sanogal said the province aims to produce more organic muscovado sugar which is more in demand in the world market.
The Panaad Festival will once again showcase the 32 pavilions of each city and municipality designed either as replicas of either their own municipal or city hall, or the famous product it is known for.
One of the highlights is the Lin-ay sang Negros where festival queens of 32 towns and cities compete for the coveted crown. The Lin-ay pageant will be held on April 4, 7 p.m., at the Panaad Stadium.
Other events include GMA Kapuso Night on March 31; Latin Dance Sports, Folk Dances Competition, and ABS-CBN “M.O.R.” Show, April 2; TESDA Livelihood Skills Olympics, April 3; ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Fiesta Caravan, April 5; and Drum and Bugle Competition and Drumbeating Showcase, April 6.(PNA)