Barangay 8 defended its crown as it won the second consecutive title in this year’s Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival parade and street dance competition, and took home P100,000 in cash prize and gift packs from Tanduay Distillers Inc. (TDI) Aug. 30 at the Bacolod Government Center grounds.
Yuri’s Freestylerz propelled Barangay 8 to their back-to-back victory, outperforming seven other barangays.
“Our main goal was really to become a back-to-back champion,” said choreographer Yuri Delicano, expressing his pride. “This is the payoff for all our sacrifices, exhaustion, and even late-night rehearsals under the rain.”
Barangay Cabug won second place and P60,000 in cash prize, while Barangay 6 finished third, earning P40,000.
Under the theme “Nakatagong Galing (Hidden Talent)”, this year’s festival put a spotlight on Bacolod’s rich local talent through performances inspired by the city’s culture, tourism, artistry, governance, and rum-making heritage.
Mayor Greg Gasataya emphasized the city’s dedication to supporting Bacolodnons in creative and bartending fields.
“We are renewing our commitment to honor our heritage, to uplift our people, and to show the world that Bacolod is and will always be the proud home of the World’s No. 1 Rum—and that is Tanduay Rum,” he said in a city press release.
Gasataya also shared his aspirations for the next Rum Festival to be “even more colorful, intentional, and purposeful.”
TDI executive vice president Dennis Ching, meanwhile, commended the community’s robust participation.
“This festival is our way of giving back to Bacolod’s heritage, to celebrate the community behind our partnership with the city, and its leaders,” he said.
Ching also acknowledged the seven schools across Negros that participated in TDI’s Rum Education initiative and the eight barangays that displayed their artistry in the competition.
Barangays 2, 21, Felisa, Alangilan, and Vista Alegre also participated in the event.
The festival concluded with a free grand concert featuring Mayonnaise, Zack Tabudlo, Amiel Sol, Robledo Timido, and Tanduay ambassadors Derek Ramsay and Julia Barretto. ||
