• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Filipino-Chinese community has decided not to appoint an honorary mayor or adopted son for the 2026 Bacolaodiat Festival.
John Stephen Sy, president of Bacolaodiat Festival Inc., said they opted to forgo the selection of these traditional titles for this year.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said that during their meeting, the Bacolaodiat committee decided not to appoint this year due to various crises that hit the city last year, including typhoons and earthquakes.
He said that the community preferred to celebrate a simple festival this year.
Last year, Hans Sy, chairperson of SM Prime Holdings Inc., was named both honorary mayor and adopted son of Bacolod City.
Despite the absence of honorary awardees this year, preparations for the city’s major festivities are in full swing, with activities scheduled to take place from February 20 to 22.
The city government allocated a total of P5 million for the festival.*
