EXPERIENCE BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL | A FUSION OF CHINESE-FILIPINO CULTURE

EXPERIENCE BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL | A FUSION OF CHINESE-FILIPINO CULTURE

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.