For the Chinese new year Bacolod to celebrate 8th BacoLaodiat Fest

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — In celebration of the Chinese New Year, this city will celebrate the 8th BacoLaodiat Festival from February 7 to 10, a festival that showcases the binding cultures of Tsinoys (Filipino- Chinese) here.

BacoLaodiat is coined from the words “Bacolod” and “Lao Diat” (Fukien word for celebration), and is marked with colorful giant lanterns, lighted floats, fireworks, and Chinese cultural dances and food alleys at the North Capitol Road (beside the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park) along Lacson Street.

BacoLaodiat is one of the three festivals of Bacolod. The two others are the MassKara Festival staged every October and the Inasal Festival every May that showcases the famous chicken inasal.

The eighth staging of the BacoLaodiat Festival is expected to highlight the fusion of cultures of Pinoys and Tsinoys, with the theme “Binding Cultures and Opportunities,” organizers said.

As in tradition, the organizers said, Bacolod joins the world in welcoming the Chinese New Year with a bang, with firecrackers to drive away bad spirits and welcome good luck, lion and dragon dancers, Chinese lanterns to light up the streets, and favorite Chinese foods.

As 2013 is the Year of the Snake, snake lanterns will sprawl the grounds of the Bacolod Government Center and the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park for the judging of the Snake Lantern Making Contest (both for Bacolod City Barangay Category and the Local Government Unit/Open Category) in their respective venues on February 5.

On February 7 will be the opening of the Chopsticks Alley, a food walk and night market with colorful booths of delicious Chinese food, souvenirs, arts and crafts, to cater to every person’s unique tastes on each festival night.

A ceremonial lighting of street lanterns, zodiac animal floats and Chinese lanterns will follow, brightening up the Provincial Capitol Lagoon, North Capitol Road and Lacson Street to be capped with a Symphony of Lights and Sparks (fireworks display) every night.

On February 9, an inter-school Chinese Culinary Contest will kick off in the afternoon, followed by the Parade of Mascots and Street Acts, a sure way to keep both kids and adults clicking away on their cameras.

Be amazed with the Human Snake, the longest human snake winding its way along Lacson Street followed by the Lantern Dance Competition, highlighting the colors of the festival.

On the day of the Chinese New Year (February 10), there will be program at the Bacolod Government Center, followed by the awarding of the Chinese Lantern Making Contest, Snake Lantern Contest and Lantern Dance Competition, to be capped with grand fireworks display. (FREEMAN)