The opening of the 2015 Bacolaodiat Festival was highlighted by a grand parade followed by the Lantern Dance Parade Competition.
The 2015 Bacolaodiat Festival Kicks Off with a Bang
The 2015 Bacolaodiat Festival kicks off today with a bang. Bacolaodiat Festival is Bacolod’s very own Chinese New year Festival. It comes from the words “Bacolod” & “Lao Diat”, Fookien word for celebration.
The opening of the 2015 Bacolaodiat Festival was highlighted by a grand parade followed by the Lantern Dance Parade Competition.
Have to had my souvenir photo prior judging the Lantern Dance Parade Competition
Being one of the judges in the Lantern Dance Competition, I had the privilege again to see the contenders from a good vantage point. Eight groups dressed in Chinese Inspired costume with lighted lanterns competed for this year. 40%from the scores we gave will be counted in the overall scores while the remaining 60% will come from the arena dance competition which will happen on February 21, 2015.
Festival goers filling the entire Lacson Street, Bacolod City
As of this writing Lacson Street and The Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City, Philippines, is filled with thousands and thousands of festival goers. More people are coming, especially during night time to enjoy the street parties along Lacson Street while others would like to taste some Chinese food being showcased in the Chopsticks alley and to see the nightly grand fireworks display. Of course, it’s not only the Bacolenos enjoying the event, but some local and foreign tourists were also present at the opening of the Bacolaodiat Festival.
Adding colors to the festival were Chinese lanterns , red “banderitas” , and lighted giant zodiac signs lanterns decorating the entire Lacson Street and the Provincial Capitol Lagoon.
HOW TO GET TO BACOLOD:
Bacolod City can be reached by plane from Metro Manila and other big cities in the country by plane or by sea vessels.
I've been to Bacolod numerous times, unfortunately only for business and never had the opportunity to see the sights and important places and witness the festivals. Based on the photos, it looks very organized and people truly prepare for this.
Is there a concentration of Chinese-Filipino communities in Bacolod? It's the first time I heard about this festival!
It's my first time hearing this festival. I never knew there's this festival for Chinese New Year. Over here we only have lion dance during the Chinese New Year.
There are many people who joined the festival. I’m sure they all enjoyed it.
true Sef 🙂
Thank you Andrew Olano 🙂
bmisita kayo pag may time 🙂
yes annual ang bacolaodiat 🙂 its really colorful and fun!
True Papaleng Pagulong just like other Chinese festival bongga!
yes Fernando hope you can witness future festivals in Bacolod
yes Jelo Pal, I cannot really describe how they did it but they were fantastic especially the night part 🙂
Indeed Franc, costumes were fantastic!
I've been hearing so much about this festival. Unfortunately, I have never seen it, not even once. Sana next time di na to makaligtas sakin.
I’ve known this festival long ago and it’s like one of the major festivals in Bacolod! I love how they put so much effort on the festival and if I were there, I would think like I’m in China celebrating Chinese New Year with them.. 🙂
It's nice that they mixed up the criteria with dance and the costume. The participants really came in prepared.
It does look it has its unique look and has the same liveliness of Chinese New Year celebration.
Love the opening, I am curious to see how dancers perform their LANTERN DANCE PARADE.
This seems like a very fun and colorful festival. I’ve been to Bacolod but I have never witnessed festivals like this. Maybe soon.
Kung Hei Fat Choi bro! Another great festival in that wonderful city.. 😉
This is surely one of the grandest Philippine festivals. So colorful and so unique.
I’ve never been into Bacolod but it seems a nice place and everyone seems happy and enjoying the festival.
Love Bacolod very much especially with this kind of festival at the Lagoon. More festivals….
Wow! ang bongga ng opening. Seems a great event to attend.
Is that a yearly competition? Being one of the judges is honorable, especially when a lot of audiences are excited to know what you think about the performances. I can't count the number of dancers there. They're way too many and I love the colorful costumes!
I love how your adventure turned out to be. Plus, judging in a dance competition was super!