BacoLaodiat Winners Bared
The winners of photography contest, lantern street dance competition, and dragon lantern-making contest of the 7th BacoLaodiat Festival were announced by the
organizers at the closing rites yesterday.In the Canon Photography Contest DSLR Category, the grand winner was Martin Jereza with a prize of EOS 1000D DSLR Camera; first runner-up - Matthew Advincula with Powershot SX220 HS; and second runner-up - Leonito Lopue with iP2770 Pixma Printer.
For the Lantern Street Dance Competition, the champion was Grupo Dies Y Siete with P60,000 cash prize; first runner-up - Danz World Company - P40,000; and second runner-up - Double “J” Full Force - 20,000. All three winners received trophies and certificates.
The 12 groups which participated in the Lantern Street Dance Competition, including the winners, received P50,000 each as subsidy.
These other groups were WSWG, Paho II RKS Crew, DPJ Group, Granadian Dance Company, Alijis Choi Force, Brgy.23, Rosalanon, Wild Rhythm in Motion, and Brgy. 41, organizers said.
For the Dragon Lantern Making Contest, the champion was Ian Valladarez with P15,000 cash prize; first runner-up - Patrick Payumo with P10,000; and second runner-up - Lyster James Dingcong with P5,000.
All 12 participants had a subsidy of P3,500 each, organizers said.
The 2012 BacoLaodiat Festival, which opened Friday at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon until Sunday, culminated yesterday at the Bacolod Government Center, with the celebration of the Chinese New Year.
The BacoLaodiat Festival started in 2006, when Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and former Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas decided to have a twin celebration of the Chinese New Year in January, at the same time, in their respective cities.
Leonardia said this year’s BacoLaodiat, with the theme, “A Majestic Spirit in a Challenging Year,” once again drew thousands of people, including tourists.
He added that the festival has become a tourist attraction, which will be another boost to the local economy.
As 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon, Leonardia said the dragon is a symbol of stability, progress and prosperity.
“We look forward that within this year, Bacolod, no matter what the
circumstances, will continue to sail on, survive and probably even accelerate
its growth and development,” he said.*
