Lagawan

Chinese New year is just around the corner and what’s the best way to celebrate this is to join the 2009 Bacolaodiat Festival in Bacolod City. The term Bacolaodiat comes from two words, Bacolod and Lao Diat which is a Fookien word meaning ‘celebration’. This festival is a fusion of the Chinese tradition and the Negrense Style.

The Bacolaodiat celebration will be highlighted by fireworks display, streetdancing, dragon dances and lighted lanterns.

The festival site for this year will be at the Capitol Shopping Center which is known as the Chinatown of Bacolod. And this will also houses the Lantern Park where illuminated colorful giant lanterns featuring the 12 Zodiac signs will be displayed.

Here’s the Schedule of Activities for 2009 Bacolaodiat Festival:

January 23 – Opening of Lantern Park at the The Capitol Shopping Center, known as the China Town of Bacolod City

January 24 – Street-dancing competition with 10 participating groups will kick off at 6:30 p.m. from SM Bacolod to the festival site.

January 25 – An animated and colorful parade of floats, lanterns, lions and dragons alongside Chinese drum beaters and acrobats which will start from the plaza to the festival site.

The festival will also feature a nightly display of fireworks which they call a “symphony of lights and sparks”. The festival will last until January 26, 2009.

So what are you waiting for? Come and celebrate Chinese New Year with the Bacoleno’s in style.

Kung Hei fat Choi!!!!