| Capitol Park and Lagoon | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Park andMan-madeLagoon |
| Location | Bacolod,Negros Occidental |
| Coordinates | 10°40′34″N122°57′06″E / 10.676207°N 122.95166°E /10.676207; 122.95166 |
| Area | 3 hectare |
| Operated by | Negros Occidental Provincial Government |
| Open | All year |
TheCapitol Park and Lagoon is a provincial park located inBacolod,Negros Occidental, in thePhilippines. One of the features of the park are matchingsculptures depicting a woman standing alongside awater buffalo and that of a man pulling another water buffalo. These sculptures are located at the northern and southern ends of the lagoon. These figures were executed byItalian sculpture Francesco Riccardo Monti who also did the sculptures of the Metropolitan Manila Theater and the University of the Philippines - VisayasIloilo campus. Guillermo Tolentino also contributed as a sculptor of the figures.
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Popular activities at the park includejogging,aerobics, school dance rehearsals, promenading,Arnis andmartial arts practice and feeding thetilapias of the lagoon.
The main landmark in the park is theNegros Occidental Provincial Capitol building. It is the official seat of theGovernor of the province. Different government offices of the province serving its thirteen cities and municipalities are also located in the vicinity of the park.
The firstPanaad sa Negros Festival, also known as thePanaad Festival, was held here in a three-day affair in 1993 that began April 30. The festival was held at the Capitol Park and Lagoon fronting the Provincial Capitol for the first four years. As the festival grew each year, it became necessary to look for a more spacious venue. In 1997, the festival was held at the reclaimed area near the Bredco Port.[1] The construction of thePanaad Stadium and sports complex paved the way for the establishment of thePanaad Park as the permanent home of the festival.
The park today has become a popular spot for local families to holdpicnics on Sundays andholidays and a majortourist attraction of Negros. A man-made lake or lagoon in the middle of the park contains live tilapia fish. The park has recreational value as well, as bands, orchestras and other forms of entertainment are provided for free in its open-air auditorium in events aptly called "Concert at the Park".[2]