'Halad kay Kang-Laon' : 1st Mt. Kanlaon National Park Festival held by La Carlota

All roads led to Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy, Ara-al, La Carlota City on August 11 for the first Mt. Kanlaon National Park Festival as "Halad kay Kang-Laon" (Offerings to Kang-Laon). Its theme was "Pag-amlig sa Dungang Manggad para sa Kaayuhan sang Katawhan" (To Protect the Natural Resources for the Good of the People).

The City Tourism of La Carlota had initiated to celebrate this festival to give honor and respect to Haring Laon or Kang Laon as the great protector and provider of the natives who lived long time ago in the said volcano. And also this is to boost tourism industry in the said place which the neighboring towns and cities could benefit too.

According to local history or local legend, Kanlaon or Canlaon is an ancient name of a Visayan god. It is idolized by the natives as their highest Ruler. The natives did highly esteemed by worshiping him as "One who is the Ruler of Time".

The volcano is where the said Ruler stayed wherein native priests and priestesses visited and did some rituals and some offerings of their good harvest as tokens of their gratefulness and respect. Some other versions of this legend had been handed by the natives to one generation to the other.

Vulcan Kanlaon as viewed from Cainaman road going to Brgy. Balabag, La Carlota City

Mount Kanlaon (Canlaon) is the highest active volcano in Negros, It divides Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. There is a separate city in Negros Oriental which bears its name, Canlaon.

The MKNP festival was held at Sitio Guintubdan. It is a 30-minute ride by bus or public utility vehicle from the city proper of La Carlota. Starting from the capital city, Bacolod, it would be 75 kilometers more or less.

Haring Kanlaon Festivities in pictures

1. Mayor Luis J. Jalandoni III sounds the Gong to signal the opening of the 1st Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park Festival.

2. DENR –NIR Director Livino Duran delivers his message of support to MKNP Festival and his environmental advocacy.

3.  MNKP PASu Concordio Remoroza (L) and Mayor Luis Jalandoni III with La Carlota artist Joe Aaron Espinosa and model Jessie Catigan - champion in the canvas painting contest.

4. Mayor Luis Jalandoni III hands over the drum stick to Mayor Mhai Nicor representing La Castellana as the host LGU for the 2018 MKNP Festival.

5. The La Carlota City Singing Trekkers as they sing the MKNP Festival official jingle, “Kanla-on.”

6. Pinta Flores festival dance becomes a day-time attraction while Bailes De Luces illumines the night with colorful lights.

7. The legend of Mt. Kanla-on interpreted through dance by the Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School (Special Program for Arts) students.

8. Pinta Flores festival dance becomes a day-time attraction while Bailes De Luces illumines the night with colorful lights.

images: courtesy of Edp, La Carlota, used with permission