All roads virtually lead to Negros Oriental as the charming province puts its best foot forward in the 44th staging of the Buglasan Festival from Oct. 18-27.
Introduced in 1981, the festival puts to the fore local pride through artistic talents, tourism, culture, heritage, and natural and agricultural resources, The fest was derived from buglas or Buglas Insulis, the name of precolonial era Negros referring to the tall marsh grass which grew in abundance across the island.
“This year’s Buglasan Festival is special, as it serves as a follow-through to the grand centennial anniversary of our neo-classical provincial capitol building early this year where we showcased history and architectural heritage,” says Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria.
Designed by eminent American-period urban planner and architect Daniel Burnham, the Graeco-Roman edifice was inaugurated in 1924 in the capital town of Dumaguete, and is among the province’s iconic landmarks and green public spaces.
“This year’s edition is also unique with the recent signing of the Negros Island Region Act by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., where the province will be hosting the regional offices of key national government agencies,” he added.
Sagarbarria also noted the 191 percent exponential increase in the visitor arrivals for the first half of 2024, compared to the same period last year, which can be attributed to more focused and aggressive campaign through the province-wide Tourism Roadshows, and enhanced partnerships with industry stakeholders.
Themed “Celebrating Dedicated Public Servants, A Resilient and Supportive Constituency, and the Harvest of Progress through Destination Stewardship”, the festival rolls off on October 18 with the fashion show of the Miss Negros Oriental and the Gandang Negorense pageant candidates.
The opening salvo unreels the next day with the civic-military parade, opening of the 23 local government unit (LGU) booths, performance of the cast of Chasing in the Wild of Viva One, and the concert of Sponge Cola in the Musicfest.
Spicing up the 10-day extravaganza are fringe events such as the competitions on pyro-musical, motocross, marching bands, inter-LGU modern street dance, folk dance, folk poetry, and culinary preparation.
Sporting events such as the International Negros Oriental Marathon, which took place October 6, the Negros Island Moto-Tour Adventure and a motor show, will strengthen the province’s positioning as a sports tourism hub in the Visayas.
Events will take place in public venues in the provincial capital of Dumaguete, which is known as the City of Gentle People.
Scuba divers and underwater photographers will plunge into the depths of the seabed in the Negros Dive Fest on Oct. 22- 27 as part of the continuing promotion of the province’s rich marine biodiversity and its Ridge to Reef campaign.
Merry-making reaches fever pitch on October 25 with the much-awaited Festival of Festivals Street Dancing, the Festival King and Queen, and Ritual Showdown, to be capped by a music fest.
The Grand Float Parade on Oct. 26 will brighten up night-time Dumaguete with the mesmerizing lights of the municipal and city floats, followed by the Miss Negros Oriental pageant which will select the new set of ambassadresses of goodwill and tourism.
Curtains fall on Oct. 27, with the awarding ceremonies, and a fireworks display at the Negros Oriental Freedom Park.
For more information, check out the Facebook pages Negros Oriental Provincial Tourism Board and Buglasan Festival.
