By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that all is set for the 15th BacoLaodiat Festival that will kick off 3:30 p.m. on January 31 with the opening of the Imperial Village at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds, followed by a motorcade going to the Bacolod Plaza and the Capitol Lagoon.
The highlight of the festival is the conferment of Megaworld Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Andrew L. Tan as “Adopted Son of Bacolod” at the Bacolod City Government Center.
Leonardia said Tan will also be bestowed the title of “Honorary Mayor of Bacolod,” during the BacoLaodiat Festival.
The mayor said Megaworld is considered the number one property group of companies and they would like to acknowledge Tan’s contribution to the economy of Bacolod during the event.
BacoLaodiat chairman Odette Ong-Gomez said that, aside from the eight contingents who are joining the streetdance competition and lantern dance competition, this year they will have Chinese cosplayers, and a fashion show featuring costumes inspired bythe Chinese dynasties to promote their designers.
She also said that they will have 24 Korean percussionists as guest performers. The cultural show will also feature students from Chinese schools.
On his part Councilor Israel Salanga, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Tourism, said he is happy that the BacoLaodiat Festival has grown bigger and bigger, and this will have a significant impact on the tourism industry in Bacolod.
