BACOLOD CITY – After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Tanduay Rum Festival returns next month, as a prelude to the MassKara Festival here in October.
This was announced by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez and Lucio Tan III, president and chief operating officer of Tanduay Distillers Inc. and vice chairman of the Lucio Tan Group (LTG), during Tan’s visit here last week.
The Rum Festival will be held here from August 12 to 20, which will showcase the craftsmanship, skills, and artistry of Bacolodnons through various events such as the Barrel Art, Bottle Design, and Street Art Competitions.
“We are excited to work with the new Bacolod City government in bringing attention to the important role of Negros Occidental’s sugarcane economy in the steady growth of Tanduay overseas and the international awards it has received,” Tan said.
Tan said that rum makers owe the province’s sugarcane industry for producing the best quality raw materials for its spirits that are now gaining new followers in different countries, adding that four of the biggest rum distilleries in the country are located in the province.
The festival was first staged in 2019 to pay homage to the sugarcane industry of the province. However, it was called off in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year, Tanduay saw it fit to hold the Rum Festival again to bring attention back to the sugarcane industry and refuel the city’s tourism economy.
The festival will also feature Bacolod’s famed culinary culture which will be under the spotlight through the highly-anticipated Culinaria Competition.
Throughout the festival, there will be a food park for visitors to enjoy various dishes. An exciting Flairtending and Mixology contest will likewise take place.
The Rum Festival will close with music and dancing at the Bacolod City Government Center Complex.
There will be a Street Dance Fusion and Float Competition and a rock concert to be headlined by a surprise list of guest artists from Manila.
Benitez welcomed such development and assured that the city government will provide any support to Tanduay for the festivity.
Tan was accompanied by his brother, Kyle, executive vice president of Tanduay Distillers Inc., and Carlos Luis Fernandez, senior vice president and general counsel of Philippine Airlines.