Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran congratulated the Filipino-Chinese community, led by BacoLaodiat chairman John Stephen Sy, on the staging of the 19th BacoLaodiat Festival, during the opening program at the North Capitol Road in Bacolod City yesterday.
Familiaran said the BacoLaodiat Festival celebration seems to be growing bigger every year. He noted that it was only during the pandemic when the city did not hold any celebration.
The vice mayor was joined by other members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod at the opening of the Chopsticks Alley and Imperial Village, following the BacoLaodiat Festival dance competition along the Lacson Tourism Strip in Bacolod City.
Councilor Jason Villarosa, chair of the SP Committee on Tourism, said they hope to have a bigger BacoLaodiat Festival celebration next year by increasing the budget for the event.
Villarosa said the budget for BacoLaodiat this year is P5 million and he hopes they could double it next year with the support of the City Mayor’s Office. The BacoLaodiat Festival was started in 2006 during the administration of former Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
The opening was followed by a cultural show dubbed “A Night in the Middle Kingdom,” Lunar Music Festival, and a grand fireworks display “Symphony of Lights and Sparks” at midnight all at the North Capitol Road.
A Spring Festival thanksgiving mass will be held at the Queen of Peace Parish at 9 a.m. today, followed by the conferment ceremony of business tycoon Lucio Co as Adopted Son and Honorary Mayor of Bacolod City at 10 a.m. at the Bacolod City Government Center.
A Dragon Fantasy Costume contest will be held at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central at 2 p.m., followed by the BacoLaodiat Lantern Dance competition at the North Capitol Road at 6 p.m.
The Laban Para sa Milyon Tongits+Mobile Tournament will be held at 3 p.m., followed by GMA Kapuso Star Nights at 8 p.m., and announcement of the top three winners of the Bacolaodiat Street and Lantern Dance competition at 10 p.m., along North Capitol Road.
Announcement of the BacoLaodiat Street and Lantern Dance competitions will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the North Wing Atrium of SM City Bacolod, to be followed by the BacoLaodiat Mascot Mania at 4 p.m., Chinese Cosplay Invasion at 5 p.m., BacoLaodiat special events awarding ceremony at 6 p.m., and the San Carlos City Chamber Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble at 7 p.m. and Lunar Music Fest at 8 p.m., all at the North Capitol Road.*
