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Bacolaodiat Chinese New Year


By Claire Algarme | February 6, 2016 | Category Asia, China, Philippines, Visayas

Bacolaodiat

The Chinese New Year is one of the celebrated occasions in the world, especially in Asia, and definitely in parts of the Philippines. Bacolod City, on its part, celebrates it through the Bacolaodiat Festival. It is a conjoined word from Bacolod (the City of Smiles in the Philippines) and Lao Diat, which is a Fookien word for celebration.

Various activities are lined up for the Bacolaodiat. From February 5 to February 8, there are parades, shows and other attractions. You can see the Bacolaodiat page for the full details. Below is the schedule of activities.

Bacolaodiat

Yesterday, the first day of the celebration, my sister and I went to Lacson St., wherein a portion of it, from fronting the Capitol Lagoon to 11th St., was closed for the festivities. Eateries line up the sidewalk and various products were up for sale. There were stages in different points of the closed area, where sponsors held their respective shows.

Bacolaodiat

Lights, smoke and people fill Bacolod’s Lacson St.

At the Capitol Road, there were booths featuring Chinese lanterns, watermelon carving, palmistry, and many other traditions that can be traced back from old Chinese practices.

Bacolaodiat

Watermelon carving.

While the rest of Lacson St. was more of a Masskara Festival than a New Year’s celebration, with grilled chicken and chicken innards throughout both sides of the closed street area, Yuan Thong Temple along Burgos St. was really of Chinese feel.

Yuan Thong Temple

Yuan Thong Temple filled with lighted lanterns.

There were Dharma words, wishing papers, blessing rice packets, incense, wishing wells, and other pure Chinese traditions. Temple volunteers gave us a small packet of rice and some incense as blessings.

Yuan Thong Temple

Incense and blessing rice were given out to visitors.

I remember the Chinese New Year adventure that my friends and I had two years back in Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown. People were dressed in red, a lucky color among the Chinese, and Chinese food were a craze. Three years ago, when I was still working in the wasla Hotel, we did our own Chinese New Year festivities inside the hotel, particularly in Mabuhay Palace, the hotel’s Chinese Restaurant.

Bacolaodiat

Chan Lim also had a Chinese fan painting activity and exhibit at Manila Hotel three years ago.

As the Chinese tradition spreads across the globe and Chinatowns sprout all over the world, variations of the Chinese New Year celebration has also evolved.

Bacolaodiat

A snake display at Lacson St.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated is the Lunar New Year in the Chinese calendar. It is often referred to as the Spring Festival. In fact, this is celebrated for 16 days, starting with the New Year’s eve and culminating to the Lantern Festival. Some trace the origin of this celebration to an old Chinese mythology about a beast who said to be eating children. Villagers offered food to appease the beast. But one villager found out that the beast was afraid of the color red and firecrackers. Thus, that was how some of the practices began.

Bacolaodiat

The tiger.

The New Year also marks the change in the animal zodiac. There are 12 animals in the calendar and they are associated with the five elements: wood, water, fire, earth and metal. The year 2016 is the year of the red fire monkey. In my travels, I found out that Chinese calendar of the traditional Lanna culture of Thailand has replaced the pig with the elephant.

Bacolaodiat

The food prepared at the streets of Bacolod are grilled chicken and chicken parts, a local delicacy.

During the celebration, traditional Chinese foods are prepared. There are hot pot, meat dishes, fish dishes, fruits like Mandarin oranges, noodles, sweets,  dumplings, and taro cake, to name a few. Red packets or red envelopes, often containing money wherein the amount is an even number, are given out to children or younger people.

Bacolaodiat

Palm reading guide.

Bacolaodiat

Chinese lanterns.

Others exchange gifts or visit family members or relatives. Larger families make this a time for their reunion, especially during New Year’s Eve. Preparations for the New Year is also observed by cleaning the house.

Bacolaodiat

Chinese lantern display at the Capitol Road.

Chinese lanterns are displayed.

Chinese lanterns are displayed.

During New Year’s Day, there are lion and dragon dances, offerings to ancestors, firecrackers and fireworks displays, lantern exhibits and parades, and so much more. Lanterns, paper cutouts, New Year paintings, and spring couplets are placed for decoration. New Year markets are often set up, just like what we have in the Bacolaodiat.

Bacolaodiat

The vibe along Lacson St.

How about you, how does your place celebrate Chinese New Year?

Related

Tags: Bacolaodiat, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

42 thoughts on “Bacolaodiat Chinese New Year”

  • Shubhada Bhide says:
    February 9, 2016 at 7:53 pm

    Very colourful photos that capture the festive atmosphere so nicely. Chinese New Year celebrations are on world-wide.

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 9, 2016 at 8:40 pm

      That’s right. Chinese New Year is celebrated worldwide.

      Reply
  • Elizabeth O. says:
    February 9, 2016 at 9:47 pm

    This is pretty awesome! They really put a lot of effort into celebrating the Chinese New Year! It would be so much fun to be here.

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 9, 2016 at 10:25 pm

      After being absent in my home town for two decades, I never expected Chinese New Year to be celebrated this big here.

      Reply
  • Pooja Kawatra says:
    February 9, 2016 at 10:54 pm

    Lovely and colourful festive photos you have captured. Singapore is all decked up with lights in red.

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 9, 2016 at 11:05 pm

      I can imagine how festive it would be in Singapore. I have visited the Chinatown there and I’m sure it was filled with so much revelry.

      Reply
  • Nitin Kaushik says:
    February 10, 2016 at 1:31 am

    i love to see art on watermelon, its good to see all the color are filled with joy and fashionable to the outsiders. Thanks for the information nice work. Keep it up

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 9:41 am

      It was fun watching them carve figures and Chinese characters on watermelon.

      Reply
  • PJ Zafra says:
    February 10, 2016 at 11:56 am

    Wow! Sure looks fun. I miss Bacolodiat. I used to attend that every year and just have a blast walking around Lacson St. lol Great pics! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 2:00 pm

      At least, you get to be updated through my blog. 🙂

      Reply
  • Yvonne Bertoldo says:
    February 10, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    The watermelon carving looks really amazing! Just shows how talented and artistic those guys are! 🙂 Love that there are a lot of activities to check out during the event 🙂

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 1:59 pm

      I was also mesmerized watching them do the watermelon carving.

      Reply
  • Franc Ramon says:
    February 10, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    There’s so many activities set for the Chinese New Year. I would surely love to try all the street food and join the festivities.

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 10:48 pm

      Visiting a Chinese temple was also a great experience. 🙂

      Reply
  • Erica says:
    February 10, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    Wow I had no idea other cities in the Philippines celebrated the Lunar new year too! This looks so festive! To be honest, I haven’t celebrated the Chinese New Year in the Philippines (even if I’m part Chinese). Looks like I’ve been missing out!

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 10:48 pm

      It’s a fun event. The Chinese community in Bacolod are really active this time of the year. 🙂

      Reply
  • Jason Panuelos says:
    February 10, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    CNY really is such an awesome holiday! I wish I was here as well! So cool! 😀

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 10:47 pm

      I hope to someday celebrate CNY in China or Taiwan or Hong Kong or Singapore. 🙂

      Reply
  • rochkirstin says:
    February 10, 2016 at 7:42 pm

    Wow! I’m glad to know that there’s also a big celebration of Chinese New Year in Bacolod. It’s not only the Chinese that celebrate CNY but also Filipinos who happen to have friends who are Chinese.

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 10:46 pm

      It’s an appreciation of culture, so, yes, we love to celebrate CNY, too, in deference to our Chinese brothers and friends.

      Reply
  • Fred says:
    February 10, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    Interesting the name of the event is Bacolaudiat. Laudiat is a Fukienese term. I guess the owner of the establishment is a Chinoy. Good to see how Chinese New Year is celebrated in Bacolod. Has it always been so festive?

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 11:19 pm

      The event Bacolaodiat is organized by the Chinese community in our city. I never realized this was a festive celebration in Bacolod until I came home recently.

      Reply
  • George Felix says:
    February 10, 2016 at 10:59 pm

    Thank you for sharing this experience!
    Craft has been a hobby since childhood. I liked the watermelon carving. Would definetely love to know more about that.
    It’s amazing to watch so much colour! The lucky colour red surely excites the eyes. And what a fun occasion!

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 11:18 pm

      The watermelon carving was one of my favorite attractions, too.

      Reply
  • SHivansh says:
    February 10, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    Wow i hpoe i can do all these things on my upcoming trip to china!

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 11:17 pm

      That’s my wish, too!

      Reply
  • Danessa Foo says:
    February 10, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    Love the brightly-lit lanterns and the festivities going around the world. Your photos bring in the mood of the lunar new year well 🙂

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 10, 2016 at 11:17 pm

      Thank you so much.

      Reply
  • Amanda Love says:
    February 11, 2016 at 12:51 am

    We don’t have a big Asian community here in Colorado but we still had a celebration which I actually posted today. I would LOVE to go to one of yours because it looks amazing!!

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 11, 2016 at 3:25 pm

      That’s great to know that you have a CNY celebration there as well. 🙂

      Reply
  • Sunshine Kelly says:
    February 11, 2016 at 1:49 am

    Love the vibrant colors and decorations during Chinese New Year. Now many parts of the world celebrate Chinese New Year also.

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 11, 2016 at 3:23 pm

      That is so true. It has become a worldwide celebration.

      Reply
  • Bhushavali says:
    February 11, 2016 at 5:09 am

    Happy year of the monkey!!
    My friend hosted a party a couple days back and she brought the entire chinese feel and vibe to our home…

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 11, 2016 at 3:23 pm

      Oh, wow! That sounds fantastic!

      Reply
  • Jeypi Kyu says:
    February 11, 2016 at 5:50 am

    I was also mesmerized watching them do the watermelon carving. THis is such an amazing post

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 11, 2016 at 3:22 pm

      They were really amazing!

      Reply
  • Mommy Roxi says:
    February 11, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    Wow! That’s an elaborate schedule for the holiday! I love Chinese New Year! But the last time we actually went on a holiday trip to celebrate it two years ago. We went to Boracay for it!

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 11, 2016 at 8:49 pm

      I want to go back to Boracay! It’s been awhile since the last time I was there.

      Reply
  • Tiffany Yong says:
    February 12, 2016 at 1:05 am

    It’s always nice to know that another country is celebrating the same festival as I am! It makes one feel home no matter where they are!

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 12, 2016 at 10:24 pm

      It gives a feeling of inter-connectivity that makes us live like one big family, one big community.

      Reply
  • Karen says:
    February 13, 2016 at 5:15 am

    There are many Chinese around the world, another reason why the CNY has become a global celebration. Happy New Year to all!

    Reply
    • firsttimetravel says:
      February 13, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      That’s so true.

      Reply

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The Blogger


Claire Marie Algarme: After two decades of living in the Philippine capital, she moved back to her quiet hometown where she now focuses on honing her writing career. More on her profile at the "About Me" page. Click on the photo above to take you there. - Finalist, Thailand Medical Tourism Blog Contest, 2010 - Winner, Globe's #Wonderful Blog Contest, 2016 - Cast, Kerala Blog Express Season 4, 2017. For collaboration and sponsored content, contact her at claire@firsttimetravels.com.

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