4 PASALAMAT FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS YOU SHOULD NEVER MISS

4 PASALAMAT FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS YOU SHOULD NEVER MISS

(The Pasalamat Festival Grand Parade will be held on May 1, 2016.)

La Carlota City, located in the southwestern part of Central Negros Island (Occidental) is home to one of the oldest and most prominent sugar mills in the province.  La Carlota is also known for their fierce fighting cocks and the beautiful Guintubdan Falls.

The author with one of the participating tribes at the Pasalamat festival 2015

The city’s rich cultural heritage is expressed in their annual grand event – the Pasalamat Festival.

 For many years of regular attendance to the festival as a judge in various events. I have made a list of my personal favorite amongst the highlights of Pasalamat Festival.

So here’s the “Four Pasalamat Festival Highlights You should Never Miss”:

Floral inspired costume of the dancers

1.MARDIGRASS STREET AND ARENA DANCE COMPETITION

The centerpiece of the Pasalamat Festival in La Carlota City is its grand Dance and Float Parade which is followed by the Arena Dance Competition. During this events, various tribes from the different Barangays and Haciendas all over La Carlota City.

caricatures of this kind will be seen every year at the Pasalamat Festival

The Street and Arena Dance Competitions feature dancers dressed in their amazingly colorful costume, inspired by flora and fauna. One should never miss this opportunity to witness the dancers flirtatiously move to the rhythm created by the drumbeaters of  La Carlota City.  Beautiful floats and creative caricatures are also a must-see feature of the parade.

judging at the scroll painting contest

ART COMPETITION

Each year, La Carlota City is holding an Art Competition like scroll painting and costume design competitions This segment of the Pasalamat Festival aimed at enhancing the homegrown talents of the city and giving them the venue to showcase their talent and skills.

 

PAWASAK NIGHT

One of the distinct features of the Festival is its drumbeats with the drumbeaters using carabao leather drums and percussion instruments made out of indigenous materials. One night is dedicated for various tribes to showcase their prowess in drumbeating. People around the city, as well as guests, enjoy the evening of sounds and party at the public plaza of the town.

FESTIVAL QUEEN CORONATION NIGHT

True to almost all festivals in the country, a beauty a pageant is also held to choose the Pasalamat Festival Queen.  One must see the public plaza transformed into a beautiful place for the contest giving the local ladies the best stage to show their talent and beauty.

How to get there:

The City of La Carlota, Negros Occidental can be traveled for an approximately of a one-hour drive from Bacolod by private car and a little more than an hour in public utility jeepneys and buses via the main highway. From Libertad market in Bacolod City, you can take the jeepney traveling to La Carlota City.