Photos and story by Emmanuel Canto

Revelers from across the country are gathering at the “Summer Capital of Negros Occidental,” Don Salvador Benedicto, for the Kali-Kalihan Festival. This year’s celebrations mark the festival’s 30th anniversary and the town’s 37th founding anniversary, and will be celebrating under the theme: “DSB Handurawon: Kahapon Subong kag sa Palaabuton.”
Last Friday, I witnessed the 3rd Mayor Mac Invitational Boxing Tournament, which showcased amateur boxers from across the province with the main event featuring hometown fighter Ronnie ‘Wowie’ Campos taking on Paul Varona of La Carlota City. According to Mayor Marxlene dela Cruz, the event encourages young people to consider taking up boxing, which could develop into a career and uplift economic conditions without sacrificing their studies.
He noted, “It is important that, at their young age, they are into sports that will spare them from bad habits.”
Aside from the various activities going on throughout the municipality, there are also the thick, untouched forests, which is the reason for the good temperatures and weather. Locals enjoy a climate that has been instrumental in productive farming efforts, including the best pineapples (which are now being exported overseas).
While in town, visitors will also notice the long lines of local farm products offered along the roadside./WDJ