By: Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia is seeing the city of Bacolod as the festival city of the Philippines, following the successful hosting of the first-ever Tanduay Rum Festival in the country, which culminated last Saturday at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
Leonardia said Bacolod has the most number of festivals in the country so far, citing the world-famous MassKara Festival held every October, Bacolaodiat in February, Diwali in November, Chicken Inasal in May, Halandumon in June, and the recent rum festival which was celebrated from August 17 to 24.
“We have seen that festivals grow here because of the nature of our people. We are fun-loving, we know how to enjoy life and we know how to organize,” the mayor said.
Leonardia said Bacolod is a natural habitat of festivals in the Philippines, with a variety of festivals every two months.
In fact, he noted that Tanduay and its partner-organizations have seen the potentials of the city, as they chose to have the festivity celebrated here.
He said the hosting of the rum festival here is a significant and proud moment for the city.
Aside from its business aspect, Bacolod can be seen as a festival grower, he added.
Leonardia earlier said that the city is hoping for a bigger and brighter rum festival next year.
He is also hoping that “this will continue and eventually we will be known as the city of festivals in the Philippines.”
Meanwhile, a Street Dance Fitness Competition was held during the closing of the said festivity.
The “Unkabogable Moms” from Barangay 35 here was hailed as the champion. They received P35,000 cash prize.
The celebration ended by an after party featuring performances of Sandwich and other local bands.
