JoJaJu was crowned the champion of the Lantern Dance Competition, a premier event of the 21st Bacolaodiat Festival, during an awarding ceremony yesterday 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, namely, Chairperson John Stephen Sy, Secretary Michelle Chua, Treasurer Caryn Keng Seng, 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 on February 21 at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds. The panel of judges featured prominent 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 welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, marking a vibrant celebration of Filipino-Chinese heritage.*
