By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The 4th “Halad kay Kang-laon” Festival was formally opened yesterday morning at the Bantayan Park in Bago City, Negros Occidental with the theme “Ang Pagbangon sang Kuminidad, Nasandig sa Pag-amlig sang Dunang Manggad.”

The annual activity is in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), along with the local government units of Bago City, San Carlos City, Canlaon City, and the towns of Murcia and La Castellana.

The three-day long activity aims to raise awareness in protecting and conserving the environment in Negros, especially the Mt. Kanlaon National Park (MKNP) which is being considered as the last frontier of the Negros forest.

Among the activities include a Trade Fair Agri-Booth Competition at the city’s Bantayan Park and the Earth Concert and Fellowship Night which was held last night.

Today’s activity include Mountain Bike (MTB) Challenge from Bantayan Park to Barangay Ilijan; tree growing activity at Barangay Ilijan; Super-sized Canvas Painting and Body Painting Contest at the Buenos Aires Mountain Resort in Barangay Ilijan; and Diwata kag Suta sang Kanlaon 2022 and Creative Dance Contest at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center.

Part of the event on the third day is the half day farm tour activity at the Buenos Aires Mountain Resort Hilltop Garden, Lunao Coffee Farm and Chris Fadriga Cacao Nursery.

Capping the festivity are the street dance and festival dance presentation, also at the Bantayan Park.

The candidates of the Diwata kag Suta sang Kanlaon 2022, meanwhile, were also introduced yesterday morning followed by a press presentation at the city’s Community Center in the afternoon, where members of the media got the chance to present questions to the candidates with regards to environmental protection.

Coronation is scheduled for tonight at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center./DGB, WDJ