Bacolod to welcome 2012 as one big family

MANILA, Philippines - For the first time, Bacolod will welcome the New Year as one big family, through a spectacular countdown party tonight at the Bacolod Government Center (BGC) grounds.

The party, dubbed “Countdown to a Great Year: Bacolod Welcomes 2012,” is the first public event of its kind in Bacolod and also the first in Negros Occidental, and is a brainchild of Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Leonardia said this is an attempt to divert the cultural tide in Bacolod, where families typically celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, by encouraging them to celebrate the occasion with a “larger community.”

The mayor said the party will be held “from sunset to sunrise” as it will start at 6 p.m. today all the way to the first sunrise of 2012, or until 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Leonardia is promising the people of Bacolod an unforgettable New Year’s Eve countdown party.

“The New Year’s Eve countdown party will be worth remembering. We will make it big-time. We want this celebration to establish Bacolod City as the New Year’s Eve Capital of the Philippines,” he said.

It will start at 6 p.m. with the switching on of Lights and Dancing Statues, followed by a program and Lights Show at 8 p.m., Dance Showdown at 9 p.m., MassKara Dancers, Elvis Attack, Fire Dancers and Drumbeaters at 10 p.m., another Lights Show at 11 p.m., the Countdown at 11:30 p.m., and 30 minutes of fireworks display at midnight. There will be live bands from 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Leonardia said the BGC grounds is now considered a family-oriented place and has become a rendezvous of friends and individuals who are conscious of their physical fitness, thus he is inviting families to welcome the New Year there.

There will be food and drink kiosks at the BGC grounds for family picnics, while the parking lots will be reserved for tailgate parties, he said.

“People can party at the BGC until the sun rises on Jan. 1,” he said.

Leonardia also hopes that the Bacolod Countdown Party could develop into another tourist attraction of the city, like its world-famous MassKara Festival, the BacoLaodiat Festival, and the Inasal Festival.