The Buglasan Festival

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Again, Negros Oriental will showcase the yearly Buglasan Festival of Festivals as it celebrates its annual fiesta of fellowship and merrymaking in October. 

In olden times, Negros natives and residents of nearby places referred to our island as “buglas”. Buglas is vegetation referring to Napier-like reeds found in the island.  It was Miguel Lopez de Legaspi’s crew members in 1572, who encountered dark-skinned natives in it and thereafter renamed the island “Negros.” Incidentally, a map drawn by Diego Lope Povedano in 1572 showed an island named “Buglas Insulis”.

These festivals are derived from the fiestas being celebrated everywhere in the province that could be secular and non-secular in nature.

The Festival of festivals showdown, street dance, and king and queen search on October 19, serve as the highlights.

Booths will be set up at the Freedom Park and Sidlakan Negros Village by local government units as a part of the celebration, along with those of corporate groups as well as an array of mini restaurants offering various kinds of food.

The showdown and street dancing represent local fiestas in the towns and affords the public an opportunity to witness all the colorful activities in one place at one time, and will be routed along Dumaguete’s main thoroughfares. A presentation by each contingent will later be held at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center.

All residents of Negros Oriental and those with roots here must support and watch our very own festivities and this is an occasion for gathering while helping the province promote its local tourism industry as well.*