The 4th BacoLaodiat Festival in Bacolod City opened yesterday with the blessing of the Chopsticks Alley along Narra and Tindalo Avenues at the Capitol Shopping Center by Fr. Noli Que and Fr. June Earl Salugsugan, of the Queen of Peace Parish.

Marivic Rio, event coordinator, said diners at the Chopsticks Alley will be entertained nightly by street performers like flame throwers, jugglers, and acrobats who will be dancing to the tune of the BacoLaodiat.

BacoLaodiat is derived from “Bacolod” and “laodiat,” a Fookien word meaning celebration.

The Chopsticks Alley is decorated with red lanterns, and lined up with rolling carts that sell Chinese food, souvenir items and carfts. Concerts are also held at the site.

Rio said today the lantern and streetdancing competition will start at 6 p.m. from the Bacolod Public Plaza to the Capitol Shopping Center where they will have their final performance. Awarding of the winners will be held on Monday, she said

There will be nightly fireworks display at the site, starting at 9 p.m., she added.  

Rio said the grand BacoLaodiat parade will be held tomorrow at 6 p.m. starting from the South terminal of SM City-Bacolod to the Capitol Shopping Center and will be followed by a cultural show of Chinese and Filipino songs and dances, displaying the merging of the two cultures, as well, as multi-fireworks display.

A major float carrying a lighted dragon with lions will dominate the colorful parade of illuminated floats and lanterns tomorrow alongside Chinese drumbeaters, acrobats and kaddang dancers.

Thirty-four Tsinoy organizations represented by their colorful flags and banners will welcome the Year of the Ox with lighted costumes, head props and noise-makers.

Four giant bulls illuminated from within like giant lanterns adorn the Bacolod Public Plaza, and Narra Avenue at the Capitol Shopping Center, known as the China town of Bacolod, which is the site of this year’s BacoLaodiat.

The giant art pieces created by Negrense artists, which include giant dragon figures and giant swans and lotus flowers floating at the Capitol Lagoon,  are among the highlights of this year’s BacoLaodiat Festival.*CGS

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