"Kong Hei Fat Choi!"

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday appealed to all Bacoleños to join and participate in all of the activities of the first Chinese New Year in Bacolod City to welcome the Year of the Fire Dog.

The "Bacolaodiat" Festival, spearheaded by the Negros Tsinoy, will be held Friday and Saturday. The Negros Tsinoy is a confederation of Filipino-Chinese organizations in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

In his message, Leonardia said the people of Bacolod are happy to join their brother Tsinoys in the celebration which he hopes will bring all of us glad tidings of prosperity and peace.

He said this will be the first time Bacolod City joins the celebration of the Chinese New Year. "Because of this, we want to make the celebration the best ever," he said. "What's more, this celebration will now be a part of every year in Bacolod City," he added.

Leonardia said Bacolod and Iloilo, under Mayor Jerry Treñas, in their plans for an eventual "twinning and sister-city" relations, have decided to have a coordinated celebration of the Chinese New Year starting this year.

Iloilo City held its Chinese New Year celebration yesterday.

Leonardia said the Bacolaodiat Festival that will approximate the MassKara Festival in terms of preparation and execution.

On the opening day, Bacolaodiat will feature a "journey to ancient China" with a costume exhibition of the different dynasties of China in the old days, a press release from City Hall said. This will be held at the Negros Museum and will be open at 5 p.m. Thursday.

A grand cultural parade with lions and dragons performing in harmony with gyrating MassKara dancers and Pasalamat drum beaters of La Carlota, will be held on Friday. Red will be the predominant color in the parade which is regarded by the Chinese as a life-giving color associated with good fortune and prosperity.

The opening of the Chopsticks Alley and the Night Market at the plaza will be held Friday evening. Bacoleños can enjoy eating tikoy, a sticky rice cake believed to help keep the family together in harmony.

Cultural presentations will be held at the plaza where people can appreciate Chinese songs and dances in the afternoon. A dog show will also be held at the plaza featuring the K9 Obedience of Negros Occidental, while Asia Brewery will hold a night party. The Office of Leonardia sent invitations to all the mayors of cities and municipalities in the province to join the celebration.*CGS

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