Bacolod eyes grander ‘Bacolaodiat’ return
Bacolaodiat presents cultural performances, lantern dance parade, dragon and lion dances, Chinese food fests, fireworks display, zodiac sign parade and live bands
BACOLOD CITY — The local government here is eyeing grander festivities of the Bacolaodiat Festival’s resumption — the first time the festival will be celebrated face-to-face after a two-year respite in 2021 and 2022 due to mass gathering restrictions brought by the global health crisis.
The festival — which is the city’s grand Chinese New Year celebration slated on 20 to 22 January — indicates the continuing “new normal” amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he hopes this year’s Chinese New Year celebration will be the start of the better years to come for Bacolod.
“I’m hoping that this celebration after two years, will bring back the confidence of the people to start living and doing their normal chores. Worldwide, we’ve been going back to our normal activities,” Benitez said.
As part of the city’s support to the event, the city council has approved a P3-million financial assistance for the staging of the festival’s 18th edition.
Bacolaodiat Inc. secretary Oddette Ong-Gomez said they are hoping for the support of the people of Bacolod for the return of the Chinese New Year festivity.
“All over the world, most people no longer wear masks. We have moved on. We have immunity,” Gomez said.
Showcasing the harmonious merging and co-existence of both Chinese and Filipino cultures, Bacolaodiat presents cultural performances, lantern dance parade, dragon and lion dances, Chinese food fests, fireworks display, zodiac sign parade and live bands.
Bacolaodiat derived its name from two words — “Baco” for Bacolod and “Lao Diat,” a Fookien word for celebration.
Based on the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, a tame creature that represents hope and life.
The festival will open in the afternoon of 20 January with a Dazzling Grand Parade from Megaworld’s The Upper East to the Government Center grounds.