Bacolaodiat Festival highlights year of the Water Rabbit

January 20, 2023 was a night to remember as the city came together to celebrate the Bacolaodiat Festival, a joyous occasion marking the Chinese New Year and the year of the Water Rabbit. The festival, which is a blend of the words Bacolod and Laodiat, a Fokien word for celebration, signifies overflowing happiness and good fortune. The event was held at the Bacolod City Government Center, which was beautifully adorned to reflect the theme of the festival.

The celebration began with a grand opening ceremony, where the Mayor Albee Benitez ceremonially switch on the lights, followed by an electrifying Lion Dance by the Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade. The Mayor delivered an uplifting speech, wishing everyone a joyful celebration and promising to make next year’s event even more spectacular.

He also highlighted the significance of the year of the Water Rabbit, which is believed to bring prosperity, good luck, and harmony.

After the speech, the crowd was treated to a spectacular showcase of traditional Chinese culture, with performances by various Chinese schools in Bacolod City, including Bacolod Tay Tung High School, Trinity Christian School, and St. John’s Institute. The performances featured mesmerizing Chinese dances, songs, and much more, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese community in Bacolod City.

The festival also featured a mini-Chinatown temporarily set up at The Upper East, where visitors can experience the Chinese culture, food, and traditions. The festival reached its climax with an awe-inspiring display of fireworks that lit up the night sky in an explosion of colors and shapes. The mesmerizing display of fireworks was a true spectacle, leaving the crowd in a state of wonder, as they marveled at the beauty of the show. It was a truly unforgettable moment that brought the community together in a celebration of culture, tradition, and the spirit of the Water Rabbit.

The Bacolaodiat Festival is an annual event that brings together the Chinese community in Bacolod City and is a celebration of their rich cultural heritage. The city is looking forward to this year’s Chinese festival, which is promised to be grand and memorable, with more cultural performances, food, and activities that highlight the diversity and richness of the Chinese culture.* (Mark Gegato/Photography: Jonchin Gegato)