Bacolod City will host the fifth Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival from Aug. 28 to 31, coinciding with the global observance of Rum Month.
The festival, launched in 2019 through a partnership between Tanduay Distillers Inc. and the city government, has become one of Bacolod’s biggest cultural events. It highlights the city’s sugarcane and rum-making heritage, which has long supported the local economy and shaped its identity.
“This is not just Bacolod’s pride, it’s the pride of the entire nation,” Mayor Greg Gasataya said. “Our rum heritage connects us to our past, strengthens our identity, and positions the Philippines on the global stage.”
the Bacolod Rum Festival press launch
This year’s theme, “Ilabas ang Natatagong Galing,” will showcase the skills and creativity of Bacolod residents through music, dance, culinary arts, and mixology. The program also includes rum tastings and educational activities that highlight the craft’s role in the country’s growing cocktail culture.
Festival activities from Aug. 28 to 30 include street parades, dance competitions, food and rum pairings, and concerts featuring artists Amiel Sol, Robledo Timido, Zack Tabudlo, and Mayonnaise, along with Tanduay ambassadors Derek Ramsay and Julia Barretto. A food park will remain open until Aug. 31.
The event draws thousands of visitors each year and provides a boost to hotels, restaurants, and local businesses, according to the city government.
