Barangay 8 wins again at Bacolod Rum Festival

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Barangay 8 defended its title for the second consecutive year, winning the Parade and Street Dance Competition during the fifth Bacolod Rum Festival on Aug. 30.

The group received a PHP 100,000 cash prize and gift packs from Tanduay Distillers Inc. (TDI), the major sponsor of the three-day event held at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds.

Vista Youth Movers powered Barangay 8’s winning performance, outperforming seven other competing barangays.

“Our main goal was really to become a back-to-back champion,” said choreographer Yuri Delicano.

“This is the payoff of all our sacrifices, exhaustion, and even late-night rehearsals under the rain,” he added.

Barangay Cabug secured second place with a PHP 60,000 prize, while Barangay 6 took third place and earned PHP 40,000.

With the theme “Nakatagong Galing,” this year’s festival showcased Bacolod’s rich local talent through performances inspired by culture, tourism, governance, artistry, and rum-making heritage.

Mayor Greg Gasataya reaffirmed the city’s commitment to supporting Bacolodnons in creative and bartending industries.

“We are renewing our commitment to honor our heritage, to uplift our people, and to show the world that Bacolod is and will always be the proud home of the World’s No. 1 Rum—Tanduay Rum,” he said.

Gasataya added that he hopes the next Rum Festival will be “even more colorful, intentional, and purposeful.”

TDI Executive Vice President Dennis Ching praised the community’s strong participation in this year’s celebration.

“This festival is our way of giving back to Bacolod’s heritage, to celebrate the community behind our partnership with the city and its leaders,” he said.

Ching also acknowledged the seven schools across Negros that joined TDI’s Rum Education initiative, and the eight barangays that showcased their artistry during the dance competition.

Barangays 2, 21, Felisa, Alangilan, and Vista Alegre also joined the event, contributing to the vibrant street dance celebration.

The festival concluded with a free grand concert featuring Mayonnaise, Zack Tabudlo, Amiel Sol, Robledo Timido, and Tanduay ambassadors Derek Ramsay and Julia Barretto.