LEONITO Lopue, chairman of Bacolod City’s 5th Bacolaodiat Festival lauded the City Government, the Filipino Chinese Community and the people who joined in the three-day Chinese New Year.
Lopue said that only Bacolod City in the country that the Chinese community has their own festival, a remarkable contribution in the city’s tourism industry “making the city more popular in the country.”
Lopue said this year’s festival drew a bigger number of people as revelers have doubled in quantity, which means that the festival is getting more popular and patronage.
He said the holding of the festival is the assimilation of the Filipino-Chinese culture.
Bacolaodiat was coined from the city's name and fokien word “laodiat” which means, “happy celebration" that according to Lopue has continuously gained momentum among the local and neighboring provinces and cities.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the festival is the biggest Bacolaodiat crowd ever celebrated by the city.
Leonardia plans to develop Lacson Street, the city’s tourism strip, into a world class venue for the holding of the Bacolaodiat.
“This has been very encouraging, and I’m hoping for a biggest Bacoloadiat celebration in the city in the years to come,” he said.
“Bacolaodiat has become an institution, and become a regular fixture in our calendar to celebrate every year. Bacolaodiat is here to stay” said Leonardia.
Revelers enjoyed the likes of chopstick alley where a variety of the Chinese foods were served, showcase of lantern dance contest, zodiac animal floats, grand parade and cultural shows. The presence Patrick Garcia, Isabel Oli, Barbie Forteza, Jake Vargas and Joshua Dionesio, all of GMA TV 7 Kapuso stars add spice to the celebration.