BACOLOD CITY – Victorias City’s Kadalag-an Festival in Negros Occidental earned its first grand slam title after winning the Best of Festival Dances competition in the city category during this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival held at the Panaad Park and Stadium here on Monday, March 24.
Ricky Parel Lapidante Jr., artistic director and choreographer of Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival dancers, said that it took them a lot of hard work to prepare for this year’s competition, as they aim to exceed last year’s performance.
“We thank God for giving us wisdom,” he added.
He said that their performance reflects the spirit of the people of Victorias.
With 80 dancers, 10 characters, and 90 propsmen, the powerhouse team solidified their place in the Panaad Hall of Fame. They received a cash prize of P100,000.
The city also achieved a back-to-back victory in the Best Introduction Video category directed by Kurt Soberano in collaboration with Jerancy Antonio Productions.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez was thrilled by the recent achievement of the local government unit.
He has been a steadfast supporter of the festival’s journey since 2023, a period that saw Victorias City achieve its first victory in the competition.
“The heart of Kadalag-an Festival is not just the celebration of our triumphs, but the demonstration of the collective strength and solidarity of all Victoriasanons,” Benitez said.
With this historic grand slam victory, Victorias City is now exempt from competing in next year’s competition and will make its return in 2027.
Other winners in the city category include Silay City’s Kansilay Festival as the first runner-up taking home P75,000, San Carlos City’s Pintaflores Festival as second runner-up (P50,000), Bago City’s Al Cinco de Noviembre as third runner-up (P30,000), and Cadiz City’s Dinagsa Festival as fourth runner-up (P20,000).
In the municipal category, the world renowned La Castellana’s Bailes de Luces emerged as the champion, followed by Manapla’s Manang Pula Festival as first runner-up, Calatrava’s Lilas Pandan as second runner-up, Murcia’s Tinabu-ay Festival as third runner-up, and Don Salvador Benedicto’s Kali-Kalihan Festival as fourth runner-up.