It’s Buglasan Festival of Festivals season again as it opened last Friday, October 18 at the Freedom Park in a vibrant celebration of culture and community immersed in the energy, colors, and spirit of festivity. This annual event not only enhances local pride, but also showcases the rich heritage of Negros Oriental through various activities that resonate with its people and visitors alike.
The festival kicked off with the Buglasan Photo Competition, where participants had the opportunity to capture the essence of the celebration with more than P60,000 in prizes at stake.
Simultaneously, the Buglasan Booth Fair was formally opened, featuring 23 diverse booths each vying for recognition. The competitive spirit was heightened as local government units (LGUs) competed for substantial prizes of P1,000,000, P750,000, and P500,000 allocated for tourism projects. Judged by professionals from various fields, including their architecture and engineering, the fair proved to be a showcase of ingenuity and creativity. The first round of judging was done on October 18, while the final round would be done on Saturday, October 26.
The presentation of candidates for the Buglasan Gandang NegOrense and Miss Negros Oriental pageants was also done on October 18 with Senator Imee Marcos as guest of honor. This year, 14 transgender contestants alongside 21 natural-born women stepped into the limelight, receiving their sashes from local chief executives, symbolizing a commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Adjudged as the new Gandang NegOrense is Scarlet Gadingan, a professor of English at Negros Oriental State University, who was also named best speaker. Despite her being a neophyte in pageantry, Gadingan got the nod of the judges because of her personality, wit, and confidence.
A traditional highlight, the Palihi, choreographed by Tingting Delfin, former cultural officer of Foundation University, and executed by the Buglasayaw Dance Troupe of Foundation University, paid tribute to the origins of Buglasan, enhancing the cultural significance of the event. Additionally, the Buglasan Moda was presented in a stunning fashion runway featuring the talents of local wardrobe designers.
As day one concluded, NegOrenses were treated to the Ginebra San Miguel Buglasan Music Fest featuring performances by Nik Makino and Shao Lin, ensuring that the festivities culminated with an unforgettable musical experience. Overall, the Buglasan Festival opening salvo encapsulated the psyche of Negros Oriental — a celebration of its cultural richness, creativity, and unbreakable community spirit.
Since 1991, the Buglasan Festival is a colorful cultural extravaganza that originated in Foundation University, which was later given by the latter as a gift to the province of Negros Oriental. Throughout a week-long program of events, this festival, regarded as one of the most important occasions in the Visayas, displays the rich customs and heritage of its people.
The festival’s centerpiece event was on Friday, October 25, which has been declared a province-wide holiday to promote community engagement.
This year, 12 participating LGUs, including the Pasayaw Festival of Canlaon City, the Yag-yag Festival of the municipality of Sibulan, and the Tawo-tawo Festival of Bayawan City, among others, engaged in colorful demonstrations of dance, music, and artistry.
Because of the inclement weather, however, brought about by severe tropical storm Kristine, the Sandurot Festival of Dumaguete City, upon the instigation of Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, withdrew from the competition, citing, according to Mayor Remollo, his responsibility of ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of more than 500 young school children.
The supposed street dancing, instead of its 1 p.m. schedule, started at 3 p.m., but was held at the Gov. Mariano Perdices Oval Coliseum. The showdown immediately followed, including the selection of the Buglasan King and Queen.
The competition adhered to stringent judging criteria designed to ensure the highest performance standards. Contingents were evaluated on choreography, fluidity of movement, mastery, and the creativity of costumes and props. It also assessed performances through various criteria, including production design and quality. The festival also highlighted the unique obsession of Filipinos with beauty pageants, culminating in the much-anticipated crowning of the Buglasan King and Queen.
The winners are: Bais City, “Hudyaka sa Bais,” first, best in street dancing, best in choreography, best choreographer, and best in identification arch; Sibulan, “Yagyag Festival,” second; Canlaon City, “Pasayaw Festival,” third; Tayasan, “Dalit Tayasanon,” fourth and best in musicality; and, Bayawan City, “Tawo-tawo Festival,” fifth and best in costume, including bagging the titles of Buglasan King and Queen.
Cash prizes are P200,000 for the champion, P150,000 for the second place, and P100,000 for the third place, as well as consolation of P50,000 each for non-winners and trophies awarded for the various categories. Judges came from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in Manila.
Understandably, the scheduled music festival that would have culminated the activities last Friday was cancelled because of adverse weather conditions.
As of press time, the winning fair booths and the coronation of the new Miss Negros Oriental would still have to be determined on Saturday, October 26. Reports from the Provincial Capitol revealed that the festival booth displays and the various rented stalls would be extended until Sunday, November 3, amid requests by stall owners because of dismal sales due to unfavorable weather conditions. | NWI
