• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod City government will allot P5 million for the 21st edition of the Bacolaodiat Festival on Feb. 20-22, with an array of activities eyed at the Bacolod Government Center (BGC) grounds.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod has authorized Mayor Greg Gasataya to sign the memorandum of agreement on the monetary assistance with the Bacolaodiat Inc.
The organizer commits to showcase the festival “with more grandeur and uniqueness (and) highlight the merging of the Chinese and the Filipino cultures in one extraordinary presentation”.
The city’s support will bolster tourism activities and bring in tourists to witness the first and only Chinese New Year celebration in Bacolod; foster harmonious relations among the Chinese and Filipinos in the city; and promote the idea that though diverse in cultures, the Chinese and Filipinos could unite and work for a better community, the MOA stressed.
Meanwhile, the SP members are expected to decide during their regular session this afternoon, Feb. 4, on the request of Bacolaodiat Festival 2026 chairperson, John Stephen Sy, to hold the celebration at the BGC grounds.
Sy also sought permission to install Chinese lantern decorations outside and inside the BGC lobby; install mural painting around the BGC grounds from Feb. 7-26; install horse zodiac and Bacolaodiat 3D decor in front of the fountain area; hold nightly events on Feb. 20-22; conduct the lantern dance competition on Feb. 21 at the grass area; and the fireworks display on Feb. 22, among others.
The BGC fountain and grassy area has been fenced in preparation for its renovation/beautification, with the more than P200 million funding sourced from the Department of Tourism’s TIEZA, or Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. | CGC
