BACOLOD City – This city will again hold a three-day face-to-face Bacolaodiat Festival on Jan. 20–22 after two years of hiatus due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Bacolaodiat Incorporated, the organizing group of the 18th Bacolaodiat Festival, said they are ramping up preparations for the grand celebration of the Chinese New Year in Bacolod City.
Bacolaodiat, coined from the words “Bacolod” and “Lao Diat” (a Chinese phrase for celebration), is a joint Chinese New Year celebration of the city government and the local Chinese community.
This year’s celebration will highlight the Year of the Rabbit, which is believed to offer opportunities for contemplation, rest, and nurturing of body and soul.
Bacolaodiat Festival chairman John Stephen Sy said, “We are optimistic, and it is our aspiration that the return of the Bacolaodiat Festival this year will be more vibrant, happier, and meaningful to everyone, considering that we are easing out of the pandemic.”
There will be three festival sites – Upper East Avenue at Megaworld, Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), and SM City-Bacolod.
The Lacson Tourism Strip is no longer a festival site due to traffic concerns.
A grand parade will kick off from the Upper East to the BCGC. Chinese-Filipinos, city officials, and students from Chinese schools are expected to participate in the parade.
A ceremonial lighting of lotus and lanterns, a cultural show, and the anticipated symphony of lights (fireworks display) are to take place after the cultural show at the BCGC.
Festival goers and food enthusiasts are expected to troop to The Upper East at 4 p.m. on Jan. 20 for the opening of the Imperial Village and the Chopsticks Alley, which will feature Chinese cuisine and Filipino street food favorites.
The lantern street dance competition is scheduled for Jan. 21, and winners will be awarded on Jan. 22 at SM City.
The Dharma Prayer at the Yuan Thong Temple will begin by 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, the Chinese New Year Eve./PN
