The spirit of the 16th Bacolaodiat Festival, which is the Chinese New Year celebration in Bacolod City, “remains, despite the pandemic, alive with the modest yet, meaningful display of lotuses and highlighted by the Zodiac Animal Ox as centerpiece currently on display at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.”
This was underscored by Oddette Ong-Gomez, chair of the Bacolaodiat Inc., the organization that has been spearheading the Chinese New Year activities in the city.
In a statement, the Bacolaodiat official said, “in consonance with the muted festival flares nationwide amid the global pandemic, the board members of the Bacolaodiat Inc. and the organizers of the Bacolaodiat Festival deem it proper to forego the holding of the 16th Bacolaodiat Festival this Lunar year of the Metal Ox.”
Without the clanging sounds of the gongs, the glitter of the fireworks displays and the spectacle of dragon and lion dances, the statement continued, the spirit of the Bacolaodiat Festival is still much alive.
Ong said, “while the lotuses which grow in muddy water and are able to rise above the mud and bloom with remarkable beauty, we are one with Bacolodnons in praying we will all rise from the adversities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. And may the lanterns represent the light at the end of the tunnel that we all aspire for to reach and come out victorious in this global fight.”
As we remain sensitive to the call of the times, like the Ox, may we also remain strong in our faith that all our hard work this New Year will be rewarded with luck and prosperity in the coming years, Ong further said, adding: “We wish everyone a meaningful Chinese New Year and see you in the next COVID-free, brighter and bigger Bacolaodiat Festival.”
Asked about next year celebration, she told NEGROS WEEKLY “we cannot be certain. Next year is next year. Everything is uncertain with COVID. So activities will depend on what is the world next year,” but she was quick to add that while “we don’t know where we are going, the wish and prayer remain for a better tomorrow inspite of COVID.” – NWI
