"I believe that the spring festival (Chinese New Year) celebration will accelerate the development of the tourism industry and push forward the other economic sectors in Bacolod City," Cui Luosheng, Chinese Consul General in Cebu, yesterday said during the opening BacoLaodiat Festival at the Bacolod Public Plaza.

The opening was preceded by a grand cultural parade participated in by the Negros Tsinoy and delegations from the various Chinese schools in the city including the MassKara dancers of Brgy. Alijis, the Kadang performers, and the Lion and Dragon dancers.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Cui presented each other tokens during the program.

In his speech, Cui said the fact that the Chinese communities have annual celebrations of the spring festival with the support from the city government, shows clearly a successful blend of the two different cultures of China and the Philippines. He said it adequately reflects the harmony and brotherhood forged by the Chinese communities and the local people.

Nowadays, China is vigorously implementing the scientific approach on development to build a harmonious socialist society, Cui said. Therefore, harmony is apparently more precious than ever to the development of China and its cooperation with the outside world, he said.

Cui said "We hope the harmony between the Chinese communities and the local people of Bacolod will last forever and make more contributions in promoting the contact between Bacolod and China and enhancing the friendship between the Philippines and China."

He said the spring festival is most important for the Chinese nation and is an indispensable component of the traditional Chinese culture.

During the festival, the atmosphere of happiness and excitement can be felt here and there, while the ways of celebrating it are different in different places, he said.

Today this celebration of spring festival has been combined with the promotion of tourism, Cui said. It presents the harmony and mixture of both cultures of the two countries and will definitely become a flash point attracting more public attention, he said.

Negros Tsinoy chairman Luis Chan said racial disparity is not a hindrance to pursue success. He said the Chinese have proven that they are a great help to the community with their contributions in the filed of education, business and other services.

"We should forget individual differences and work together for the common good for ourselves and for the future generations," Chan said.

Other city officials present at the opening of the BacoLaodiat Festival were Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, Councilors Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos, Homer Bais, Jude Thaddeus Sayson and Greg Gasataya.

This afternoon elementary and high schools drum and bugle corps will compete for the 2nd Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia Marching Bands in Rhythm Competition at the Bacolod Public Plaza at part of the Baccolaodiat celebration.

A cheer dance competition will also be held at the plaza 9 a.m. Sunday*CGS

back to top