This year’s Mister Pilipinas Worldwide competition has brought the delegates to Negros Occidental for an immersive tour into the Visayan province’s culture.
Known as the “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines,” the province hosted the 20 official delegates from across the country and different overseas Filipino communities, along with the organization’s officers headed by Mister Pilipinas Worldwide Pres. Dom Corilla.
Joining him and the roster of 2026 delegate are 2025 Mister Supranational fourth runner-up Kenneth Cabungcal and 2022 Manhunt International first runner-up Joshua De Sequera, who are now both vice presidents of the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide organization.
The premier national male competition in the Phlippines flew to Negros Occidental to join the kick off ceremonies for the province’s “Panaad sa Negros Festival” happening next month.
Now on its 30th year, the festival brings together the province’s cities and municipalities to showcase their traditions, local industries, cuisine, and cultural performances.
“This year, we gather not just simply to welcome another Panaad Festival but to celebrate our milestone, our 30th Panaad sa Negros Festival. It is for this season that the commission, government, together with our partners, is going to great lengths to make this year’s Panaad truly special,” Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson said.
After arriving in Bacolod Ciy, the delegates went to the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol and the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Social Hall, where the provincial government hosted welcome events and meetings with the candidates.
They also went to Talisay City for a visit to The Ruins, and dropped by Cafe de Notre Dame for a taste of local cuisine while exploring one of the city’s scenic landmarks.
The delegates continued their tour at the Mambukal Mountain Resort and Campuestuhan Highland Resort, the Technology and Livelihood Development Center, and the highland municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto where they had a tree-planting activity.
“By choosing Negros Occidental as our official provincial partner, we want to highlight not just its beautiful destinations, but also the values, culture, and stories of the communities that make the province truly special,” Corilla said.
“Negros is known as the ‘Land of Sweet Surprises,’ and we believe there’s so much here that deserves to be seen and appreciated—not only locally, but on the global stage as well,” added the 2024 Mister Global winner.
Corilla had earlier revealed at the press presentation of the 2026 delegates held in Manila that the organization will also bring the gentlemen to Boracay for a branded shoot.
No details of the final competition have been released as of this writing, but this year’s search will proclaim seven titleholders, including the national successor of reigning Mister International Kirk Bondad.
The other winners will be sent to the Mister Supranational, Mister Global, Manhunt International, Mister Eco International, and Mister Cosmopolitan competitions. Another international partner will be revealed soon. /edv