For the first time in 30 years, youth engagement is taking center stage at the Panaad sa Negros Festival through the “Handurawan” inclusive platforms.

Negros Occidental’s “festival of all festivals” is set April 13 to 19 at Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan here.

On Monday, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II joined organizers from the Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc. (NYLI) at the opening of the Handurawan: Negros Youth Hub at Panaad Stadium lobby.

“This is the youth safe space all throughout the festival. Handurawan was created with you in mind,” NYLI executive director Kevin Gaitan said in a statement.

The Youth Showroom is where youth-led and youth-serving organizations share their work and advocacies, while the Health Nook offers care and support and promotes personal well-being.

The Youth Pop Zone features merchants and enterprises created by the province’s young people.

Through “Handurawan,” the Hiligaynon term for reminisce, reflect or imagine, the youth is provided inclusive platforms to celebrate culture, showcase creativity and strengthen leadership.

The cultural, creative, and civic activities aim to empower the young Negrosanon as stewards of heritage and drivers of community development in Negros Occidental.

Gaitan said that “young people can take their place in the festival through meaningful and advocacy-driven activities.”

These include artistic competitions for artists, poets, filmmakers or community leaders, as well as the “Hinampang sang Kabataan,” an activity that brings the youth together through popular Filipino traditional games on April 15.

On April 7, the Campus Journ Day brings together competing school publications, young journalists and storytellers, while participants can also join the advocacy talks during the Youth Bantay Bayan Dialogue on April 14, 16 and 17.

The “Handurawan” activities will culminate with the Negrosanon Youth Day, a shared celebration of leadership, creativity and lived experiences, on April 18 at Diamond Court of the Panaad stadium. (PNA)