Negros Occidental Festivals Mirroring Filipino Culture and Heritage

Practically every town and city in the Philippines has their own festival for all locals to celebrate and be entertained with. This does not come as a surprise for a country that is inundating with a diversity of cultures and longstanding traditions deriving from its rich, albeit bloody, history.

There are a plethora of crowd-drawing festivals in the Philippines, such as Sinulog in Cebu, Ati-Atihan in Aklan, Panagbenga in Benguet, Dinagyang in Iloilo, and Kadayawan in Davao, among others. But here, we'll focus on colorful festivals in Negros Occidental — a province so fondly known to be the "Sugarbowl of the Philippines."

Top Festivals in Negros Occidental Exhibiting the Province's Rich Cultural Heritage

Filipinos celebrate colorful festivals by hanging banderitas, holding street dancing competitions, and preparing a banquet of good food to celebrate the occasion. Local government units (LGUs) are then tasked to make these festivals as enjoyable as they should be to entertain their constituents. To do this, LGUs may also feel obliged to invite local artists and bands to amuse the crowd with their music and celebrity presence.

Without further ado, below is a list of festivals in Negros Occidental that mirror the enduring cultures of the province and its people.

Masskara Festival

Bacolod City's MassKara Festival is not only the most famous cultural celebration in Negros Occidental but also one of the most celebrated in the entire country altogether. MassKara Festival was conceived to uplift the collective morale of Negrenses after the tragedies that befell the province in the 1980s, namely the ferry accident and the lowering of sugar prices. Since then, the MassKara festival became the annual highlight in Bacolod City that is attended by both local and international tourists.

Panaad sa Negros Festival

Aptly called the mother of the province's festivals, Panaad sa Negros Festival is held annually every April and is participated by all its 19 municipalities and 13 cities. In 2017, it was adjudged the "Best Tourism Event" by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines. The festival takes place at the Panaad Park and Stadium. The sprawling venue provides ample space for various activities and attractions, such as beauty pageants and talent competitions.

Sinulog Festival in Kabankalan

Celebrated every third week of January, Sinulog sa Kabankalan Festival pays homage to the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and exhibits the city's rich heritage, religious devotion, and enduring cultural traditions. It was held last January 15 after a two-year hiatus caused by the global pandemic. Locals celebrate the festivals on the streets by smearing each other with ground charcoal mixed with water or oil.

Dinagsa Festival

Dinagsa is the Ati-Atihan version of the people of Cadiz City. Traditionally celebrated every January, Dinagsa began in 1972 and was the concept of a religious organization. The idea was to discourage locals from engaging in gambling and cockfighting during this religious observation and therefore make a way for residents to truly observe and pay homage to the City's patron, the Santo Niño.

Pasalamat Festival

From the name itself, Pasalamat Festival is a yearly thanksgiving celebration in La Carlota City in Negros. After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID crisis, the people of La Carlota were thrilled to witness a kaleidoscope of colors showcasing the city's talented and creative people. A total of 14 tribes competed in this year's street dance competition, alongside a parade of caricatures and iridescent floats.

Pintaflores festival

From the word "pinta" meaning "tattoo" and "flores" meaning "flowers," the Pintaflores Festival is held every November in the prosperous San Carlos City. The festival is celebrated with street dance parades with the dancers clad in colorful outfits and their bodies painted with floral tattoos.

Manlambus Festival

During the month of May, the people of Escalante City celebrate Manlambus Festival, with the Hilgaynon word "lambus" meaning to strike with something heavy. This interesting name was derived from the fact that Escalante's waters were believed to be abounding with fish that can easily be caught by hitting them with a club.

Sinigayan festival

Sinigayan Festival is an annual thanksgiving occasion in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. It serves as a religious event as it pays respects to the city's patron, Saint Joseph. Moreover, the festive celebration demonstrates the city's copious coastal and marine resources, which is best showcased in its street parades, floats, and talent competitions.

Lubay-Lubay Festival

Annually observed every January in Cauayan City, Lubay-Lubay essentially means the swaying of the bamboo, which is also what the city is named after. Festival performers then dance to the rhythm of poles and bamboo sticks. Symbolically, Cauayanons treat this as how they would deal with trials and tribulations in life, as well as practice unity and gratitude despite adversities.

Sag-Ahan Festival

July 1 is the charter day of the municipality of Toboso town in Negros island. Sag-Ahan Festival is so named after the Sag-ahan River where fish are abound. The meaning of "sag-ahan" is literally "to catch a fish with one's bare hands." The annual festival then depicts the municipality's ample marine resources as well as its equally rich cultural heritage.

Kisi-Kisi Festival

Kisi-Kisi is an annual festival in the town of Ilog, the first capital of Negros in the 18th century. The name is a Hiligaynon term which refers to the rapid movement of crustaceans such as prawns and shrimps. In essence, the colorful festival grandly features the rich maritime reserves of Ilog. And just like several festivals in the Philippines, Kisi-Kisi Festival is also in honor of the Infant Jesus.

Kansilay Festival

Residents of Silay celebrate the city's Charter Day every year in June. It's a weeklong celebration of thanksgiving, showcase of rich culture and history, and more. The highlight is the vibrant parade of street dancers decked out in colorful attires and creative props. The city's festival depicts the legend of Princess Kansilay, a dauntless female fighter who saved her village from pirates.

Lumina Homes, the quality yet affordable house and lot segment of Vista Land, is present in the so-called Paris of Negros, Silay City. It is part of the Metro Bacolod where vast economic and commercial activities are centered. Should you choose Lumina Silay for an affordable house and lot for sale, you can achieve balance by having immediate access to essential establishments while being nestled in a housing community where you can enjoy comfort, convenience, and tranquility that can only be truly felt outside the bustling Metro Manila.

There are good number of reasons why your future house and lot Philippines should be through Lumina Silay, among them is home quality features, affordable pricing, convenient amenities, and accessible location. Thrilled to have your own property investment soon? Speak to an accredited Lumina seller today and reserve your future house and lot in Silay!