The third edition of the Bacolod Rum Festival will be held from August 12 to 20, featuring more events and participants to highlight this city as the home of “the world’s number one rum.”

The event’s main sponsor manufactures rum from fermented sugarcane or molasses in Bacolod, the capital city of Negros Occidental, known as the “sugar bowl of the Philippines.”

“The home of the world’s number one rum is actually Bacolod City. This has a huge impact in terms of awareness for the city,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in a press conference.

Councilor Em Ang, who authored the ordinance creating the Bacolod Rum Festival, said the event has been inspired by the desire of the city government to create more festivals to spur local economic activity.

“Bacolod and Negros Occidental are home to the finest distilleries in the country. We are proud that Bacolod is associated with sugar and sugarcane production, and now also as part of the production of rum. This year, we are expecting a bigger and better festival,” she added.

On August 12, the festival opening ceremonies will be held at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds, which will feature a food park as well as rum and music nights.

Other events include the barrel painting competition on August 14, and flair bartending and mixology competition national grand finals on August 19.

This year’s festival will feature singer Ely Buendia, actor Derek Ramsey and calendar girl Kylie Verzosa.

Benitez said events such as the Bacolod Rum Festival make the city a destination of choice in the country.

“This will be a prelude to our very famous [MassKara] festival this coming October. Last year, the Rum Festival was one of the first major events hosted by the City of Bacolod and it became very successful and well received,” he added. (PNA)