By Xander Ledesma
The highly anticipated Bacolaodiat Festival is preparing for its 2025 edition, with preparations officially underway. The festival’s organizing committee, along with Mayor Albee Benitez, held a press conference at the Bacolod City Government Center. Key figures from Bacolaodiat Festival Inc., including Board Members John Stephen Sy and Bob Cordova, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) and local media, attended the event.
This year’s festival promises to be an exciting showcase of Bacolod City’s rich cultural heritage, blending Chinese and Filipino traditions in what has become one of the most celebrated events in the Visayas. During the press conference, organizers provided an initial glimpse of the schedule and were eager to share the significance and history of the festival with the public.
The Bacolaodiat Festival is Bacolod City’s grand celebration of Chinese New Year, honoring the Filipino-Chinese community and its invaluable contributions to the city’s economic and cultural development. The term “Bacolaodiat” combines “Bacolod” and “laodiat,” which means “to celebrate” in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect. Over the years, it has evolved into a multi-day festival that features a fusion of traditional Chinese customs, modern festivities, and local Bacolodano culture.
Held annually to coincide with Chinese New Year, the festival reflects the city’s diverse cultural influences. Bacolod, known for its festive spirit, embraces this occasion with grand parades, dragon dances, street performances, and an impressive array of food stalls offering everything from Chinese delicacies to local Bacolodano favorites.
During the press conference, the Bacolaodiat Festival organizing committee provided exciting updates and a sneak peek into the festival schedule. While the complete list of events will be revealed soon, organizers promised an enhanced experience this year, introducing new activities that celebrate not only Bacolod’s Chinese heritage but also its growing modern identity as a center for creativity, commerce, and culture in the Visayas.
The 2025 festival will feature grander parades, cultural performances, and culinary showcases that blend Bacolod’s traditions with innovations reflective of the city’s progress. The schedule of events will take place throughout the week leading up to the Chinese New Year, culminating in a grand street party that will unite locals and visitors for an unforgettable celebration.
Mayor Benitez emphasized that this year’s Bacolaodiat Festival is not just a celebration of the Filipino-Chinese community’s contributions; it is also an opportunity to showcase Bacolod’s unity, resilience, and the ever-growing vibrancy of its cultural scene.
The Bacolaodiat Festival plays a significant role in Bacolod’s cultural and economic landscape. Each year, it draws thousands of local and international visitors, stimulating local businesses and boosting tourism in the region. Held since 2000, the festival celebrates the city’s historical ties to the Chinese community, which has been integral to Bacolod’s development since the 19th century.
Bacolod’s Filipino-Chinese population has greatly contributed to the city’s thriving commercial sector, particularly in retail and agriculture. They have played a pivotal role in Bacolod’s sugar industry, which remains a cornerstone of the region’s economy. The Bacolaodiat Festival recognizes these contributions and deepens the city’s appreciation of its multicultural heritage.
The festival also symbolizes unity, bringing together Bacolod’s diverse population to celebrate shared values such as hospitality, good fortune, and community strength. Additionally, it aligns with the broader trend of preserving and celebrating local cultures and traditions amid modernization.
The Bacolaodiat Festival began in 2000, initially conceived as a way to celebrate the Chinese New Year and honor the Filipino-Chinese community in Bacolod. Over the years, it has grown in size and scope, becoming one of the most anticipated festivals in the region.
Originally a small event, it quickly gained momentum, with activities such as dragon dances, cultural performances, and street parties becoming central elements. What began as a modest celebration has now become an integral part of Bacolod’s cultural calendar, attracting tourists and visitors from all over the Philippines and beyond.