UPDATED April 14, 2015 – The 22nd Panaad sa Negros Festival was officially opened with the traditional ringing of the bell by Governor Alfredo Maranon and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Launched at Panaad Park and Stadium in Mansilingan, Bacolod City, the festival has been a reflection of the province’s quest to unify both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental into one region.

The event’s highlight is a showdown of the dance festivals of all the 13 cities and 19 municipalities of the province.

With this year’s theme, “Negros: One Island, One Dream,” an executive order of a Philippine President is being pushed to make the fourth largest island of the country as one region.