8 COSTUME AND LANTERN DESIGNS,  2016 BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL

It’s Chinese New Year once again and all over the world, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with firecrackers and dragon and lion dances.The Chinese New Year  is also observed with  rituals, gift giving and family feasts.

In Bacolod City, it will be celebrated through a festival known as the Bacolaodiat. Bacolaodiat was coined from the words “Bacolod” & “Lao Diat” a Fookien word for celebration.The  Festival is organized by Filipino-Chinese Community. The celebration is marked by dazzling illuminated and colorful giant lanterns, lighted floats, fireworks, a Chinese food alley and cultural dances.One of the main highlights of the Bacolaodiat festival is the Street and lantern Dance Competition.

I was invited to be one of the judges for the street and lantern dance competition. But prior to the grand parade event, I was asked to act as one of the judges to select the Best Costume and Best Lantern.

Please click here for the 2016 Bacolaodiat Festival Schedule of Activities.

Meanwhile, let me share with you the photographs I took during our judging for the Best Costume and Best Lantern.

8 COSTUME AND LANTERN DESIGNS,  2016 BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL

Entry Number 1

2016 is the Year of the Monkey, so this costume is inspired by the King Monkey. It was nice to note that the model was doing some moves that was of a monkey while modeling the costume.

Entry Number 2

Please take note that the costumes in the  Bacolaodiat Festival are not really patterned after the original Chinese costume, rather these costumes are  just inspired by the Chinese culture  interpreted by the local designers.

Entry Number 3

The facial beard of the model was then again inspired by the King Monkey.

Entry Number 4 (Best Lantern Winner)

The use of LED bulbs made most of the lantern entries spectacular. The lantern dance competition is usually held at night to  display an array of beautiful colors coming from the lanterns.

Entry Number 5

Another King Monkey inspired costume. The metallic makeup in the face of the model reminded me of some of the Mystical and supernatural Chinese movies.

Entry Number 6

Entry Number 7 (Best Costume Winner)

The use of vibrant green in this costume made it appeared to be distinctive. It reminded me also of the Chinese Emperors in some Chinese movies I saw when I was a kid.

Entry Number 8

The makeup of this model reminded of the mask I bought in Hongkong the last time I visited the place.

These eight (8) entries will be used by the dancers during the grand parade on February 5, 2016.