Bacolod Festivals

The best way to learn abut Philippine culture and life is by watching or taking part in their numerous festivals and fiestas. Bacolod City and Negros Occidental exemplify this more so than any other, with every locale having a fiesta.

The Masskara Festival

Of the numerous festivals in Negros, the Masskara Festival, held every October in Bacolod City, is without question the most well known.

The word masskara is derive form the words “mass” and “masks”. The use of the large and colorful smiling masks makes it an apt description of the festival (and also pays tribute to Bacolod’s reputation as the City of Smiles). The event is marked by a parade through the streets by dancers clad colorful attire and accompanied by the steady beat of drums.

The Masskara Festival is held every 19th of October, the foundation day of the city, but it has come to symbolize other things, including representing the determination of the Filipino spirit.

The Panaad Festival

The Panaad sa Negros is a special fiesta held from April 14 to 21 in Bacolod City, and is meant to embody the spirit of the province.

The Panaad Festival is a celebration of the festive nature of the Negrense, and commences with a mass, which is followed by banner and displays of every town and city. A fireworks show is also part of the festivities and a showcase of the finest delicacies of the province.

The Sinigayan Festival

Every March 19, the Sinigayan Festival takes place. Although it mainly occurs in Sagay City, it is also commemorated in Bacolod and nearby towns.

It is a thanksgiving fiesta in honor of St. Joseph, and it is done through the demonstration of the skills, crafts and dances of the Negrense.

The Kali-Kalihan Festival

For a taste of something exotic, be sure to check out the Kali-Kalihan fiesta in Don Salvador Benedicto, which takes place in November.

This purpose of this festival is to demonstrate the ancient beliefs of the tribes concerning nature spirits, and also their styles of fighting and self defense. If you are in Bacolod, you will want to make this trip, as one of the highlights is an exhibition in live coal walking.

The Pasasalamat Festival

This fiesta is held in every May in the town of La Corta, which is not far from Bacolod City.

The name means “a festival of thanks” and has a long tradition. During the olden days the local tribes would give thanks to the elemental deities for giving them a bountiful harvest, and this practice is commemorated today by a colorful parade which provides a glimpse of the religious beliefs of the locals.

The Pinta Flores Festival

There is a strong tradition in Bacolod and the nearby cities of welcoming visitors by way of dancing in the streets, a tradition that began during Spanish times.

This tradition continues today with the Pinta Flores festival. Taking place in November, the dancers are now more often covered with flowers than tattoos, although in areas the latter is still favored.

The Ugyonan Festival

One of the most popular fiestas in Negros and Bacolod City is the Snake Festival, or Ugyonan. Its main theme is the spirit of cooperation, or bayanihan in Tagalog.

There are several aspects to this festival, and among them are street dancing, highlighting the local folk dances; there are also sports contests, and several programs depicting the culture of Negros. Finally there is a parade colorfully and artfully designed floats.

The Babaylan Festival

Not far from Bacolod is the city of Bago, which hosts the Babaylan fiesta, held every February 19.

This fiesta commemorates the life and times of the ancient tribes that lived in the area. From their local legends, music, handicraft and religious beliefs, it is a showcase of the history of Negros.