Once again, the Province of Negros Oriental celebrates its Festival of Festivals in the week-long Buglasan Festival.
This Festival was started by Foundation University as its entry for a national showcase of cultural presentations the Philippines during the Marcos administration. This was revived by the Province in 2002 during the convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines held in Dumaguete.
This is held around this time so as not to compete with the Masskara festival in Bacolod City and so as to give tourists the chance to join the two festivals on both sides of the island.
Named after the first name of Negros Island, Buglas, this festival was also planned to be held in January, to mark the separation of Negros Oriental from Negros Oriental on January 1, 1890. But this idea did not fly due to the many activities held in many local government units during the Christmas season.
Now, people look forward to the celebration the Buglasan as it has already established a name and identity in Negros Oriental. All roads lead to Dumaguete, the capital of the Province, to celebrate this festival of festivals by also showcasing their award-winning festivals, such as the Yag-yag Festival of Sibulan and the Tawo-tawo Festival of Bayawan City.
First-time visitors can have an understanding of the various cultures of the people of Negros Oriental through these festivals, some of which have been authenticated by the late national artist Ramon Obusan as authentic folk dances, like the Inagta of Siaton.
So, let’s look beyond the merrymaking and, if you haven’t done so yet, appreciate Negros Oriental in a different light. Weave through the crowds and become one in celebrating this once-a-year event.
Happy Buglasan!