A more vibrant celebration of the Lunar New Year is set to take place in January 2023 after the Bacolaodiat Festival Organizing Committee secured the support of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez during its meeting at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Bacolaodiat Festival President Stephen Sy along with board members Jennifer Gochangco-Ong and Emily Go-Villanueva shared with the mayor their plans for the festival after two years of scaled down celebrations due to the pandemic, a press release said.
“We are eager to give Bacolodnons and Negrenses a bigger yet meaningful cultural celebration of the Chinese New Year organized by the Bacolaodiat Inc .especially since we have gotten the nod and support of our beloved Mayor Albee Benitez, “ Sy said.
The Bacolaodiat Festival organizers are eyeing to kickstart its 3-day festivities at the Bacolod City Government Center with a grand parade and cultural show.
“I will fully support this event because I have seen the presence and importance of the Filipino-Chinese community here in Bacolod in the fields of business and tourism among others,” Benitez said.
Bacolaodiat, the biggest citywide celebration of the Lunar New Year outside of Chinatown Manila, will also feature the return of the Lantern Street Dance Competition, the Imperial Village and the Chopsticks Alley among others, the press release said.
The celebration in January will be the 18th edition of the festival since its inception in 2006.
The Bacolaodiat Festival aims not only to bring the Chinoy community and Bacolodnons together but also to introduce Lunar new year practices to the general public, the press release said.*