Panaad Festiva

Panaad Festival in the Philippines 

    The Philippines' Panaad sa Negros Festival is an annual celebration of agriculture, culture, and the environment that takes place in the province of Negros Occidental. Known as the province's summer celebration and the mother of all festivals, it brings together all of the cities and municipalities that take part in a variety of contests, events, and activities. Additionally, it's an opportunity to provide a larger audience to their distinctive goods, like crafts and delicacies, as well as their identity, local festivals, and cultural history.

The word panaad, which meaning vow or promise in the Hiligaynon language, is the origin of the Panaad Festival. It was planned and launched by the Negros Occidental provincial government in May 1993, and it lasted for three days. It happened at the same time that Negros Occidental was formally established in 1901 as a separate entity from Negros Oriental.
It is currently extended for a whole week. Its operations were first conducted in the vicinity of Bredco Port for many years before being permanently moved to Panaad Sports and Recreational Park in Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Panaad sa Negros Festival boasts of many exciting events such as shows and concerts agri-trade fairs and exhibits, food parks, tourism activities, and eco-garden show. It is also an equitable space for stakeholders of the province, particularly fisher folks, farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, indigenous people, and the youth. In addition, a few of its foremost areas of advocacy are organic farming and responsible solid waste management.

Date and Location

The first post-pandemic Panaad Festival, with the theme "The Promise Renewed," will take place from April 17–23, 2023. Governor Eugenio "Bong" Lacson stated during the festival's launch that it will honor the province's fortitude, tenacity, hope, and faith in the face of the hardships that everyone endured following three years of the pandemic and natural disasters, including flooding in the northern Negros Occidental and Typhoon Odette's devastation in the south.

Best of Festival Dances

Best of Festival Dances is a competition among cities and municipalities in a showdown featuring the cultural dances from their respective festivals. It is an opportunity to present the best from their local celebrations every year, giving a tribute to their unique cultural identities and reaping awards for being the best dance contingent of the year.

Themed pavilions

Themed pavilions are permanent exhibition area for the participating cities and municipalities. They are located in Panaad Sports and Recreational Park in Mansilingan, Bacolod City. The present venue was originally constructed as sports complex for the Palarong Pambansa in 1998, and it is now the location of pavilions belonging to different participating cities and municipalities. These pavilions are like snapshots of the city or municipality, giving visitors a quick glance into its arts and crafts, cuisine, culture, business, history, livelihood, products, and tourist spots. It is a Negros Occidental’s version of Nayong Pilipino.