The Province of Negros Oriental is on its annual two-week fiesta following Friday’s civic-military parade that heralded the launching of the 2011 Buglasan Festival.
The Buglasan Festival is held annually in October to become the Province’s cultural and tourism showcase.
Former Vice Governor Mariant Escaño Villegas said everything is in place for this year’s Buglasan Festival, the sixth since then Governor and now Congressman George Arnaiz accepted the festival’s turnover from Foundation University.
Friday’s giant parade, which started at the Quezon Park and ended at the Sidkalang Negros Village in Dumaguete City, was joined by government officials, the business sector, 20 high school bands and four grade school bands.
Governor Roel Degamo then led the opening of the booths of the participating 19 towns and six cities after an ecumenical mass.
One of the new activities of the festival this year was the search for Miss Negros Oriental Tourism, which Villegas describes as a promotion tool to invite tourists and visitors to come to the province.
Activities lined up for the ten-day celebration include those for the young and elderly to enjoy, such as song and dance competitions, farmers’ congress, sporting events, photo contest, cook fest, the highlight of which is the Buglasan Festival of Festivals on Oct. 21, Villegas said.
On October 21, nine contingents from the towns and cities are competing in the street-dancing and grand showdown competition of their presentations.
President Benigno Aquino III has declared October 21 as a special non-working day for Negros Oriental so its people can have time to enjoy the festivities.
This year’s Buglasan Festival theme is “Bringing Negros Oriental Tourism Into Greater Heights”. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)