• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The 21st Bacolaodiat Festival will open this afternoon, Feb. 20, at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds.
The opening ceremony will be held at 4 p.m., highlighted by the unveiling of the Imperial Village, where festival-goers can explore traditional Chinese arts and crafts; the Emperor’s Market, which features a diverse offering of Asian dishes; and the judging of the “Walls of Fortune” mural painting contest and exhibit, festival organizer Bacolaodiat Inc. said.
The ceremonial lights-on will be at 6 p.m., expected to be attended by city officials, the Filipino-Chinese community, and supporters.
The organizer said the three-day celebration at the BCGC grounds will also feature nightly entertainment, as well as a lantern dance competition tomorrow, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. (daytime edition) and at 8 p.m., a Bacolaodiat children’s fashion show, and a siopao eating contest, all at the BCGC grounds.
Other Bacolaodiat events are being held at varied venues, like at SM City Bacolod, where the kickoff was held Feb. 14, the Chopsticks Alley ongoing at the SMile Strip, and the lantern dance competition repeat performance and awarding ceremony on Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.;
At Megaworld’s The Upper East for the ongoing Chinese lantern installation making contest and nightly entertainment stages; and at Ayala Malls Capitol Central for the Chinese Mythical Creature costume design contest on Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.
The festival, a portmanteau of “Baco (Bacolod) and “laodiat (Fookien for happy celebration) will end on Feb. 22 with closing ceremonies at 7 p.m., followed by the “Symphony of Lights and Sparks” fireworks display, both at the BCGC.
Festival chairperson John Stephen Sy earlier said that this year’s Bacolaodiat Festival is not only to celebrate culturally-rich revelries but also to recognize the sustained momentum and shared direction.
“The Year of the Fire Horse reminds us that progress is never achieved alone. A strong rider and a strong horse move as one – guided by trust, strength, and a shared direction,” Sy said. “We gather not only to celebrate the culturally-rich revelries that await us, but also to recognize the energy and sustained momentum that have brought us to this point.”
He also thanked the Bacolod City government for its continued support, which he said, has fueled the growth of the Bacolaodiat Festival into one of the most anticipated and meaningful celebrations in the city.
The local government has earmarked P5 million in financial assistance to help the organizer showcase the festival “with more grandeur and uniqueness, (and) highlight the merging of the Chinese and the Filipino cultures in one extraordinary presentation.” | CGC
