City marks BacoLaodiat

The recent week-long BacoLaodiat Festival celebration of Bacolod City to usher in the Chinese New Year has confirmed it as another big event in the City of Smiles, besides the world-renowned MassKara.

BacoLaodiat is aimed at showcasing Chinese culture to the Filipinos, and the assimilation of both Chinese and Filipino cultures.

The festival is the brainchild of Mayor Bing Leonardia and Councilor Homer Bais, the city council’s tourism chairman. BacoLaodiat comes from the terms “Bacolod” and “Chinese Fukien,” meaning celebration.

Started in year 2006, its first chairman was Fred Barcelona, in 2007 it was Luis Chan, 2008 - William Ong, and this year, the Year of the Tiger, it was Diotay Lopue, whose Zodiac sign is Tiger.

Main events of BacoLaodiat were the Lantern Dance Parade, Chopstick Alley, Symphony of Lights and fireworks and the grand parade where Filipino-Chinese family associations, businesses, chambers, schools, fire brigades, and many more participated.

Zodiac animals were also paraded and some were displayed at L’Fisher, Bank of Commerce, and Sorrento, to mention a few. The colorful animals are now displayed at the foreground area of the Bacolod City Government Center, where it continuous to draw crowds.

BacoLaodiat also promote Lacson Street as the Tourist Strip, where almost all activities like the Lantern Dance contest were performed. Areas near the PNB, Sweet Greens, L’Fisher, up to Inaka were lively during nightly entertainments.

Another attraction, they called Chopstick Alley (Chinese food and products) was opened nightly for three days and our symphony of lights and spark (fireworks) for three straight nights.

On Valentine’s Day, the highlight of the celebration as huge and colorful fireworks exploded up in the sky in a shape of heart as Valentine’s also falls on the same day as the New Year.

This year had the biggest crowd attending and it included some VIP guests like Senator Tito Sotto and wife Helen and their children, who really enjoyed their stay.

Year 2011 will be the Year of the Rabbit and Chinese New Year will be Feb. 13, 2011.

Kong Hei Fat Choi!

Remember: Don’t trust your feelings, for they will change; but take God at His word and believe His promises. Memorize and review it whenever doubts arise.*