A 33-minute spectacular display of fireworks danced over the Bacolod Government Center to classical music to cap a countdown to the New Year.

As the fireworks illuminated the sky, laser lights danced along the walls of the government center wishing the crowd of about 5,000 a happy new year in lights

The evening began with the switch-on of lights and dancing statues, followed by a lights show and water fireworks at the fountain in front of the government center.

After the fireworks a band played on to entertain the crowds.

“It was fantastic, it was so beautiful and impressive, it was one of the best,” Eleanor Alonsagay Fukuda, president of the Organization for the Development and Advancement of Negros in Japan, gushed.

Fukuda,  who  has lived in Japan for 37 years working at the consular office of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, and now connected with a Japanese trading firm, went to the new year countdown at the Bacolod Government Center with about eight Japanese friends and members of her family.

JAPANESE VISITORS

Translating for her exuberant friends in the crowd, Fukuda said the Japanese said the way Bacolod was celebrating was “exceptional” and so much fun. In Japan they just celebrate new year's eve at home, they said.

They will come again next year, they said.

“We are coming back next year with more Japanese friends, this is really something worth seeing, I am so proud to be able to show my visitors that Bacolod can put on such a fantastic show like this,” Fukuda said.

She said more people should watch the new year count down next year because it is really worth going to. Along with her group, Fukuda stayed at the countdown party from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Families and individuals responded to the call of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia to welcome the New Year at the Bacolod City Government Center Saturday.

PICNIC ATMOSPHERE

Some families had picnics at the Center grounds while some brought tents to camp out in the area and were entertained by the dance showdown, the performance rendered by fire dancers, MassKara dancers and the Elvis Attack number of Brgy. Cabug, and the lights show that painted the façade of the government center in different colors.

Aside from the mayor, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and Bacolod City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz also brought along their families.

“We have finally started something here,” Leonardia said as he thanked the organizers and sponsors for one of the longest ever fireworks display in Bacolod City and probably in the whole province of Negros Occidental.

FIRST TIMERS

There were some who said this was the first time they had left their homes on New Year’s eve, he said. “Now that they have seen what was in store here, I’m sure that next year will be a better celebration.”

Leonardia said “As they say, the journey to a thousand miles always begins with the first step, we did not just make a first step, we made a giant leap for Bacolod City. What is important is that we are in high spirits.”

“Considering that 2011 was a very good year for Bacolod City, we could sustain the momentum and ride on the tide of opportunities that are being presented to us here in the city,” he said.

“If everybody cooperates and unite together, and political leaders would set aside their differences, I am sure that Bacolod City will move much faster,” Leonardia said

Asked for his assessment, festival director Eli Tajanlangit said “We delivered as we promised. We delivered a good show, we delivered something memorable.”

He said there was just a little problem with the crowds since they had wanted more to come considering the amount of love that they had put into the project.

TV EXPOSURE, TOO

With the media coverage, however, he said he believes they have shared the event with thousands more who were watching TV. The crowd was 5,000 at its peak, he said.

Warlito Rosareal, principal of Sum-ag National High School, said “It was a wonderful and amazing presentation by the city government. We expect more blessings this year with this celebration.”

Clarissa Zamora, assistant Bacolod Schools Division Superintendent, said she enjoyed the fireworks and lauded the Leonardia administration for providing this kind of activity for the people of Bacolod to enjoy.

Also present were Councilors Mona Dia Jardin, Caesar Distrito, Em Legaspi-Ang, Homer Bais and Al Victor Espino

Leonardia noted yesterday that the countdown was featured in the national Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippine Star and the Los Angeles Asian Journal in the United States.

He said these exposures will surely boost the tourism prospects of Bacolod.*CGS

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