JoJaJu was crowned the champion of the Lantern Dance Competition during the 21st Bacolaodiat Festival awarding ceremony Sunday afternoon, Feb. 22, at the SMile Strip of SM City Bacolod.
As the grand winner, JoJaJu received P100,000 in cash and a trophy. The group also secured the Best in Costume award, earning an additional P20,000 and another trophy.
The other two finalists —The Luminaries and Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU)-Alijis Campus — each received P30,000 as consolation prizes.
The Luminaries also took home the Best in Lantern award, along with P20,000 and a trophy.
All three groups were top finishers in the 20th edition of the festival last year.
The awarding ceremony was led by Councilor Em Ang, who represented Mayor Greg Gasataya. Bacolaodiat Festival officials headed by their Chairperson John Stephen Sy, Secretary Michelle Chua, Treasurer Caryn Keng Seng, and Board Members Karla Sayat and Odette Ong- Gomez; and SM City Bacolod Assistant Mall Manager Raggie Ledona.
The three contingents were evaluated based on two performances—Daytime and Nighttime Editions— held Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.
The panel of judges was composed of Negrense cultural leaders Rudy Reveche, Rene Hinojales, and Maricon Heria.
The Lantern Dance is the centerpiece of the Bacolaodiat Festival, a portmanteau of “Bacolod” and the Fookien word “Lao Diat,” meaning happy celebration.
The performances blend traditional Chinese folk elements with contemporary Filipino choreography, featuring symbolic movements like the dragon wave, lantern glide, prosperity spin, blossom burst, and Tai Chi.
This year’s festivities welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse.
The other Bacoloadiat Festival competition winners were:
CHINESE LANTERN INSTALLATION MAKING CONTEST:
Champion: Alvin Infante
1st Runner-Up: Leonil Makilan
2nd Runner-Up: Nimrod Reyes
WALLS OF FORTUNE: A MURAL-PAINTING CONTEST
Champion: Paul James Dulaca (Snake Zodiac)
1st Runner-Up: Brent Naranja, Johnny Turmo, and Jo-Ryan Brodit (Dragon Zodiac)
2nd Runner-Up: Alfred Esparcia, Ramon Alonso, and Cresline Corsiga (Monkey Zodiac)
CHINESE MYTHICAL CREATURES COSTUME DESIGN CONTEST:
Champion: Marlo Espanola
1st Runner-Up: Jordan Parcon
2nd Runner Up: Mark Anthony Tronggoy
CHINESE COSPLAY INVASION CONTEST:
Champion: Cyriel Napao Nezha (Chinese Mythology/Pop Culture)
1st Runner-Up: Chelsea Mae Siason (Auspicious Charm Odette – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang)
2nd Runner-Up: Edjhean John Siason (Unbound Myth Maker Irelia – League of Legends)*
JoJaJu: Champion of the Lantern Dance Competition* Ronnie Baldonado photo
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