EXPERIENCE BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL | A FUSION OF CHINESE-FILIPINO CULTURE
Contents
The Bacolaodiat is Bacolod City’s (Negros Occidental) very own Chinese New year celebration. The festival is relatively young and just started in the year 2006. Bacolaodiat comes from two words Bacolod and Laodiat, a Fokien word for celebration signifying overflowing happiness and good fortune. Bacolaodiat is a manifestation of the union of both Chinese and the Filipino cultures playing an important role in the fields of business and tourism industry for the city of Bacolod.
The celebration is characterized with illuminated colorful giant lanterns and float parade, magical fireworks, a Chinese and Filipino food alley, and spectacular street and arena dance competitions among others.
Being one of the judges in various events for this festival gave me an opportunity to see up close many of its activities. From the scrutiny of the participant’s costumes down to the street and arena dance competitions made me see the evolutions of designs and creativity of the local artists in their choreography and renditions of costumes and lanterns.
Each year, the theme of the Festival is anchored on the Chinese Horoscopes. This 2017, the year of the Rooster played a major role in the designs of lanterns of the dancers and even in their choreography.
Indeed, Bacolaodiat Festival is one of the most colorful festivals in the Province of Negros which is now attracting various visitors from other provinces and even abroad.
WHERE TO STAY IN BACOLOD CITY
Bacolod City has a wide array of hotels and other accommodations to serve every guest according to their budget and preferences. Please click this link to see the entire lists. List of Bacolod City Hotels.
WHERE TO EAT IN BACOLOD CITY
Bacolod City takes pride of its long list of restaurants offering various cuisines ranging from authentic Bacolod or Negrense tastes to International Dishes.
List of Bacolod City Restaurants
Famous Native Delicacies in Bacolod City
WHAT TO DO IN BACOLOD CITY AND NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
For any travelers, Bacolod City and Negros Occidental offers a long list of activities to delight its guests. Here the 12 things to do when Visiting Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
WHAT TO BUY IN BACOLOD CITY
Various export quality products are being created by Negrenses which are actually exported abroad. You will never run out of things to buy when visiting the City. Here are some of the lists that you can check:
The Negros Showroom: Offering the Best of Negros Products
Jojo Vito Designs Gallery: Offering the widest Collection of Masks and Interactive Activities like paint your own mask
HOW TO GET TO BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
Air. Bacolod City can be reached by air through the Bacolod-Silay Airport. From the airport, any guest may take a taxi to Bacolod City proper at PHP 500.00. If you wish to save on cost, you can take an air-conditioned van along with other passengers at PHP 150/passenger. Outside the airport, it’s just easy to ask where is the Airport Van parking.
Sea: Bacolod City has a seaport with vessels from Manila and Iloilo City. Iloilo-Bacolod route has an hourly schedule.
Land. If you are coming from Cebu and Dumaguete City, Ceres Bus Transit is serving this route with an hourly schedule.
Looks like you travel a lot. I haven’t visited Bacolod but hope to visit there one day.
Looks like you travel a lot. Hope to visit Bacolod too! This place must be in my travel list.
Hopefully I will be there at Lacson Tourism Strip tonight for the last activities of the BACOLAODIAT.
I’ve never been to Bacolod (I will in the future) and this festival looks like it’s a must-see! 🙂
Bacolod Festival looks extravagant. I wish to visit this place soon.
I didn’t know bacolod has their own Chinese New Year festival. It looks like such a fun event.
Pingback: 6 MOST COLORFUL EVENTS AT THE BACOLADIAT FESTIVAL
I sure like to join in this festivity. I've never been to bacolod before.
I've always wanted to visit this place. I know that this is a vibrant city and I will definitely check this out this year. Looking at your article made me very excited for my future visit.
I have always wanted to go to bacolod for masskara festival. Hope to experience it someday
It's colorful Chinese New Year in Bacolod City but never experience it before. Added to my wishlist next year. Just now I know this event.
I like that the festival is loaded with a lot of activities including several dance competitions.
I’m living in Negros Occidental but I’ve not gone to Bacolod to witness this annual Chinese New Year.
I’ve once visited Bacolod and people there are very friendly. All these activities are reasons to be excited for the upcoming festival.