Bacolod welcomes 2012 as "one big family"

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — For the first time, Bacolod will welcome the New Year in a way like “one big family,” with a spectacular Countdown Party tomorrow (December 31) at the Bacolod Government Center (BGC) grounds.

The party, dubbed “Countdown to a Great Year: Bacolod Welcomes 2012,” is a brainchild of Mayor Evelio Leonardia that would be the first public event of its kind in this city and in Negros Occidental.

Leonardia said this will be an attempt to divert the cultural tide in Bacolod, where families typically celebrate the New Year at home, by encouraging them to celebrate the holidays with a “larger community.”

The mayor said the party will be held “from sunset to sunrise” as it will start 6 p.m. of December 31 all the way to the first sunrise of 2012, or until 6 a.m. of January 1.

Leonardia is promising the people of Bacolod an unforgettable New Year’s Eve countdown party. “It will be worth remembering. We will make it big-time. We want this celebration to establish Bacolod City as the New Year’s Eve Capital of the Philippines,” he said.

The event will start at 6 p.m. with a Switch-on of Lights and Dancing Statues, followed by a program and Lights Show at 8 p.m., Dance Showdown at 9 p.m., MassKara Dancers, Elvis Attack, Fire Dancers and Drumbeaters at 10 p.m., another Lights Show at 11 p.m., Countdown at 11:30 p.m., 30 minutes of Fireworks Display at 12 midnight, and then live bands from 12:30 a.m. until 6 a.m. of January 1.

The mayor added that the BGC grounds is now considered a family-oriented place and has become a rendezvous of friends and individuals who are conscious of their physical fitness, thus he is inviting families to welcome the New Year there.

There will be food and drinks kiosks at the BGC grounds for family picnics, while the parking lots will be reserved for tail-gate parties, he said. “People can party at the BGC until the sun rises on January 1,” he said.

New Year’s Eve countdown parties are already happening in Makati City and Boracay, and very popular in New York where millions of people celebrate in one area. “We are here trying to divert cultural tide of our people and I hope that we will hit the ground running on this,” Leonardia said.

Event chairman Eli F.J. Tajanlangit added that through this party, the Bacoleno’s concept of home will change into something to mean as “a larger community.”

Leonardia added that he is hoping that the Bacolod Countdown Party could develop into another tourist attraction of the city, like its world-famous MassKara Festival, the BacoLaodiat Festival, and the Inasal Festival. (FREEMAN)