Chinese New Year is the most important celebration of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is also known as Spring Festival in China.
Anywhere and every corner of the world where Chinese communities can be found celebrates the Chinese New Year with firecrackers, dragon and lion dances and is observed with religious rituals, gift giving and family gatherings (the annual reunion dinner).
In Bacolod City, the Chinese New Year celebration was made into a big event
What is Bacolaodiat Festival?
It started seven (7) years ago with the proposal of the City Government to the Chinese Community of Bacolod.
The City Government aims to unite Filipinos (specifically Bacoleños) and the Chinese people, the purpose of showing to the Filipino Community that the Chinese Community in the City is a partner in business and in local industry.
From the words "Bacolod", the name of the City, and "Lao Diat", the Fookien word for celebration... Bacolaodiat is Bacolod's very own Chinese New Year Festival.
It will be marked with illuminated and colorful giant lanterns, lighted floats, fireworks, a Chinese food alley and cultural dances.
Events to look forward to are the following:
The Dazzling Grand Parade is a colorful parade with illuminated floats, lanterns, dancing lions and dragons. Tsinoy (Chinese-Filipino) organizations will welcome the Year of the Dragon this 2012.
The Chopsticks Alley is a food walk and night market with colorful booths of delicious Chinese food, arts and crafts with live band performances nightly.
The Symphony of Lights and Sparks is a grand fireworks display synchronized with a melodious beat.
The Cultural Shows featuring Chinese songs and dances performed by Chinese-Filipinos.
The Lantern Dance Competition is a blend of Chinese and modern street dance competition open to all schools, barangays and towns of Negros. The different dances will be highlighted with the use of lanterns choreographed to various formations.
SCHEDULE of Activities:
January 20, 2012 (Friday)
Venue: North Capitol Road
04:00pm - Dazzling Grand Parade
04:30pm - Chopsticks Alley
06:00pm - Cultural Show
09:00pm - Symphony of Lights and Sparks
10:00pm - Tanduay Night Live Band
January 21, 2012 (Saturday)
Venue: North Capitol Road
04:00pm - Chopsticks Alley / Parade of Mascots
05:30pm - Kapuso Night
08:30pm - Symphony of Lights and Sparks
10:00pm - Purefoods Night Live Band
Venue: Pepsi Stage/PNB Lacson
05:00pm - Canon Photography Contest
07:00pm - St. John's Institute Night
09:00pm - Pepsi Night
Venue: Coke Stage/16th St. Lacson
09:00pm - Coke Night
Venue: San Miguel Night/13th St. Lacson
09:00pm - San Miguel Night
January 22, 2012 (Sunday)
Venue: North Capitol Road
04:00pm - Chopsticks Alley
06:00pm - Lantern Street Dance Competition
09:00pm - Unilever Night Live Band
11:30pm - Symphony of Lights and Sparks
Venue: Pepsi Stage/PNB Lacson
07:00pm - Lantern Street Dance Competition
09:00pm - Pepsi Night
Venue: San Miguel Night/13th St. Lacson
08:00pm - Lantern Street Dance Competition
09:30pm - San Miguel Night
Venue: Coke Stage/16th St. Lacson
09:00pm - Lantern Street Dance Competition
10:30pm - Coke Night
Venue: Negros Occidental Multi Purpose Gym
10:00pm - Lantern Street Dance Competition
Venue: Yuan Thong Temple
09:00pm - Chanting for New Year Blessing
11:30pm - Ceremonial 108 Beating of the Drum
January 23, 2012 (Monday)
Venue: SM Event Center
03:00pm - SM Bacolaodiat Champions' Showdown
Venue: New Government Center
05:30pm - ABS-CBN Kapamilya Night
08:30pm - Symphony of Lights and Sparks
10:30pm - Manila Beer Live Band
January 24, 2012 (Tuesday)
Venue: Queen of Peace Parish
07:30am - Chinese New Year Mass
09:00am - Dragon Dance
10:00am - Chinese Dance Presentations
TRIVIA: The first day of the Chinese New Year in 2012 falls on January 23. The Year of the Dragon is the 5th animal in the 12 year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. Dragon is the creature of legend and myth. In early China, power and emperor was represented by the celestial Dragon. At present, the Dragon signifies happiness and success. Those born in 1940, 1952, 1963, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012 are under this sign and are known as innovative, brave, passionate and enterprising people.
How to Get There:
From Manila, you can fly to Bacolod (Php2500++, round trip, 45 minutes). From Bacolod-Silay Airport, you can take a shuttle (Php75-100 per head), or a cab (minimum Php400) going to Bacolod City.
You can also go to Bacolod via ferry (estimated cost of Php2700++ with meal, round trip, 20-22 hours) from Manila.
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source: with additional information from www.bacolaodiat.com; and
thank you to Sir Felix Querubin for sharing his Bacolaodiat 2011 photos
