The Fun, Colors, and Tattoo that is PINTAFLORES FESTIVAL 2009
Posted by on November 7, 2009
Pintaflores Festival of Negros Occidental is one of the country’ most colorful festivals. the festival is known for its elaborate costumes, very graceful dance choreography and tattoo print on the dancers’ body.
Sadly, not many people are aware of its existence. Since they joined the Cebu Sinulog Festival, little by little people got to know the festival of tattoos and flowers.
Last November 5, I took a 4:40AM bus ride ride from Bacolod City to San Carlos in Northern Negros. San Carlos is 2.5 hours away from Bacolod.
I arrived very early which gave me some time to explore the city and the nearby island.
I have seen the Pintaflores Festival perform several times. Once in Manila during the Aliwan Fiesta, in 2007 in Cebu Sinulog where they landed in the top 5, and many times in Bacolod City during the Panaad sa Negros Festival, and in 2007 Western Visayas Tourism Assembly which was hosted by Bacolod at that time.
At the strike of 1 in the afternoon November 5, the Pintaflores Festival streetdance parade started from the Port (locally known as pantalan) and head towards the San Carlos City Gym for the final presentation of routine.
A lot of people lined up the streets mostly locals, I have seen a few tourists from the nearby province of Cebu (Toledo City, Cebu is only 2 hours away), and from Bacolod City.
When the first contingent performed at the first judging area, cheers can be heard from the spectators.
Aside from the local groups, there were also out of town contingents who joined the contest like the Tawo-tawo Festival of Bayawan Negros Oriental, the Sipong Festival of Bais City Negros Oriental and another group from Hinigaran Negros Occidental.
Before the sixth group was able to perform at the fist judging area, rain started to pour. So I decided to leave the area.
At around 3PM I decided to go back to Bacolod via Ceres Liner bus, with all the good memories. It was just a short trip to San Carlos. But definitely, I will be back there.
Right now, I am still overwhelmed at the colors and the graceful performances I have seen in Pintaflores Festival. iiVamos San Carlos!!
Iba talaga bsta Negros – Pinta Flores Festival. A pinaka colorful festival sa pilipinas. See yah in Sinulog2010@30th.. panalo na naman ito sa sinulog!! ^^,
Just very proud of my very own San Carlos City, Neg. Occ.
The creative energy of this place is in each one of us who has the privileged of being born and bred there.
We also produced artists like Romeo Tabuena
and Abelardo Lucas who rose into national prominence (featured in the Encyclopedia of Filipino Artists book).
thank you for your interest of our city. Maybe next time you can come earlier and witness our bodypainting event. we are proud to say that we really can astound you. hehehe
such a very colorful festival! this festival is one of my most favorite contingents during the sinulog… they always reach the top5… congrats! i hope i can visit and see your festival personally! very colorful indeed!!