LOOK: In Negros Occidental, Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and the festive Panaad Festival

In the Visayan dialect, the word "panaad" means a promise, a vow.

Every second week of April, the Panaad sa Negros Festival is celebrated in Bacolod, Negros Occidental to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and to renew the farmers’  timeless vow to nurture the soil.

The Negrenses intend to live up to this promise as they hope to achieve full organic farming in the next ten years. The festival showcases exhibits of harvest from organic farms such as coffee grown from Mt. Kanlaon and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Now on its 22nd year, the festival attracts thousands of tourists who flock to the multi-purpose Panaad stadium in Bacolod for a week of merrymaking.

At this year's festival, tourists were shown the province's exciting destinations, history and culture through the replicas of the landmarks of its 13 cities and 19 towns displayed in the stadium.

The activities included the colorful dance competition, beauty contest, and exhibits of world-class products including furniture, home designs and famous organic food products.

Bago City: A climb through history

The Panaad festival is a time to discover the province's attractions such as Bago City, 21.5 kilometers from Bacolod City by land. It takes 30 minutes to reach Bago from Bacolod in a private vehicle or an hour if you take a minibus.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently hosted a tour promoting destinations in Bago, such as the Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center nestled in the hills of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park in Bago City.

The ecopark serves as the gateway to the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and is named after the Filipino statesman who was the founding head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It is now being managed by his widow, former Philippine ambassador to the Czech Republic Carmencita Salas, in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Situated in the middle of lush forests, the 296-hectare protected area is home to endemic plants and animal species and is classified as a DENR Protected Area.

The ecopark is a favorite destination for mountain climbers and trekkers.  Wildflowers abound in this area that is perfect for a walking tour.

Ambassador Salas said a training center will soon rise inside the ecopark to become a relaxing yet affordable venue for government agencies and local government units' seminars.

One option for those wishing to enjoy the cool mountain breezes is the Buenos Aires Mountain Resort in Barangay Ilijan. The establishment, a serene place surrounded by large trees, is managed by the local government of Bago City and offers affordable room rates, from P1,500 per night for 4-6 persons to P3,500 per night for 7-15 persons. The resort is also perfect for swimming as there are picnic facilities for rent.

Kipot Twin Falls

Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park is also home to the enchanting Kipot Twin Falls in Barangay Mailum.

Getting to the viewing deck requires a long walk down 220 steps, but the sound of water cascades and the cool breeze will be all worth it.

There is also a summer resort near the falls that is perfect for family picnics and nature activities.

Cinco de Noviembre

Interestingly, Bago City plays a significant role in the Negrenses' freedom day, celebrated every 5th of November.

Rebels from Bago led by a sugar baron named Juan Anacleto Araneta made history on November 5,1898 when they deceived the Spanish forces that were marching to Bacolod.

Araneta’s army had only three firearms: a Remington rifle, a Mauser rifle, and a shotgun. He told the rebel forces to cut nipa stems and to shoulder these as if these were rifles.

Upon reaching Bacolod, the rebels told the Spanish forces to surrender to avert bloodshed. The Spanish Governor of Negros Island, Don Isidro Castro, feared defeat as he saw what he thought were fully armed rebel forces. He surrendered to Araneta and Aniceto Lacson in Bacolod the next day.

The annual Cinco de Noviembre festival is celebrated across Negros island to commemorate the event. But the people of Bago take special pride in their ancestors, who made a Spanish governor surrender with a trick.

A promise fulfilled

Our side trip to Bago City while attending the Panaad Festival in Bacolod was indeed an enriching experience that brought to light much of the province's rich history, culture and natural beauty. The trip gave us a meaningful glimpse of Negros beyond its image as the country’s sugarland. — BM, GMA News