1st BacoLaodiat Festival

The Negros Tsinoy, a confederation of Filipino-Chinese organizations in the province headed by Alfredo Barcelona, in partnership with the Bacolod City government, celebrated the 1st Bacolaodiat Festival, recently. At the celebration, Dr. Lucio Tan was conferred honorary Mayor and Adopted Son of Bacolod. Tan arrived for the ceremonies with a 90-member delegation -- composed of his family, business leaders, and classmates from Chiang Kai Shek and Far Eastern University, to explore potential areas of investment in the city.

About 13,000 Negrenses trooped to the public plaza for the night's celebration.

From a lowly utility man at the Bataan Cigar and Cigarette Factory, Tan rose to become one of the top taipans in the country and in Asia. He once dreamed of becoming a scientist. Despite his stature, he remains humble and helpful to others, say daughters Gigi and Karla. His sister, Shirley Tan-Chua, adds that, as a brother, Dr. Tan is caring for his siblings and is also an obedient son.

He is kind an attentive to other people's needs, his close friend, Tony Carrion, says.

Dr. Tan has donated school buildings, educational packages and nebulizers in Bacolod.

Also supporting the event were Carlos Ganihong (who headed the cultural committee, parade and cultural show), James Chua, Andres Valencia, Benjamin Barcelona, Enrique Dy, Adolfo Lim, Benjamin Lopue, Jr., Fr. Noly Que, Dr. Lily Go.

The word "Bacolaodiat" which means Bacolod, happiness and good fortune, was coined by Carol Ong, daughter of Samuel and Linda Ong.*