By: Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – The country’s first-ever Rum Festival spearheaded by a liquor firm not only gives toast to the humble sugarcane, but also celebrates the best of Negros Occidental’s culinary arts by including the much-awaited Sabor Bisaya exhibit and contest in its lineup of activities.
The festival is a collaboration of the rum company and the city government represented by former city councilor Em Ang, author of the ordinance declaring the 3rd week of August as rum festival in the city.
Ang said the event will kick off on August 17, 2019.
Rum is a distilled clear alcoholic beverage which is a by-product of molasses production or made directly from sugar cane juice.
Ang also added that sugar cane has been the major produce in Bacolod City and the Province of Negros Occidental and the sugar cane plantation has also been the major source of employment of the citizens.
Ang pointed out that Bacolod City, dubbed as the Sugar Capital of the Philippines, is also home of the world’s largest selling rum.
“It is just fitting that the Bacolod City Government institute a festival to commemorate the contribution of rum in the sugar industry especially to the people of the city,” Ang further said.
Section 4 of the proposed ordinance stated that the City Tourism Office shall prepare appropriate events for the celebration of the festival subject to the approval of the Provincial Board.
Tanduay Chief Marketing Officer Paul Lin, said the Tanduay Rum Festival celebrates the ingenuity of the Filipino.
He said one of the things that are known most is the Filipino’s skill for creating fantastic dishes, with Negros Occidental having some of the most amazing dishes.
Lim said by supporting Sabor Bisaya, they are raising a glass to all culinary students and professionals who continue to make delicious creations from old-time favorites to new dishes.
Held every two years, Sabor Bisaya is one of the most highly-anticipated food exhibits and culinary competitions in the Negros region.
The event is organized by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental in association with the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines-Western Visayas.
Sabor Bisaya also serves as a venue for hoteliers, restaurant owners, caterers, bakers, food processors, entrepreneurs and the academe to learn the latest trends and techniques as well as network and interact with top chefs and players in the Industry. It is also a venue to sample the latest food products and ingredients.
This year’s event will also see the exciting Chefs’ Wars Regional Competition of the National Food Showdown with various teams from Negros and Panay islands.
The Tanduay Rum Festival 2019 will run from August 17-24, 2019.
