Thousands of tourists and members of the Filipino-Chinese community in Bacolod City and in the entire Province of Negros Occidental are expected to join the 2024 edition of “Bacolaodiat Festival.”

The Chinese community is now preoccupied with various prepations leading to the Lunar New Year celebration of 2024 as the Year of the Wood Dragon.

Filipino-Chinese families are to gather at the Yuan Thong Temple which is one of the sites of the celebration.

Orange color is distinct in the motif of the celebration as gold symbolizes luck, power, wealth, longevity, and happiness, according to Chinese culture.

The rice is also an element in attracting prosperity, thus the rice is called “auspicious rice” or that which attracts fortune and finds favor in opportunities, conducive to harmonious relationship at home and at work, and propitious in terms of business ventures or economic partnerships.

The sharing of auspicious rice and getting a serving back to each person's rice bowl symbolizes abundance of food.

“It means you will not be lacking food,” Venerable Zhirong of Yuan Thong Temple said.

Round fruits are also offered at the meal table before being partaken. The round shape which resembles the shape of coins symbolizes prosperity.

Cultural presentations by various performing arts groups from Chinese schools will be the centerpieces of the Bacolaodiat Festival at the Yuan Thong Temple.

Award-winning works of art by young Negrense artists will also be mounted for public viewing.

“This is also one way in feeding the minds of the young people that they have to think good thoughts, think good deeds, and speak good words. We wish to have more students join the competition,” Thess Ong, one of event volunteers, said.

Kapuso stars Boobay, Klea Pineda, Jeric Gonzales, and Jon Lucas will grace the “Kapuso Fiesta” on February 10, 2024, 8 p.m. at the North Capitol Road in Bacolod City as a commitment of GMA-7, being an event partner, to provide premium entertainment.

Already on its 19th edition, the festival got its name from the words "Baco" for Bacolod and "Lao Diat," a Fookien word for celebration.