THOUSANDS of Filipino-Chinese community members in Bacolod City joined the Spring Festival Dinner with the guest of honor and speaker the singer-songwriter and businessman Jose Mari Chan at the SMX Convention Center on February 16 as part of the 13th BacoLaodiat Festival, which ushers in the Chinese new year.
Chan, an adopted son and honorary mayor of Bacolod City, said he is thankful to the Filipino-Chinese community, especially to the BacoLaodiat officers led by Jennifer Gochangco-Ong and directors Leonito Lopue and Alfredo Barcelona for endorsing him to become the adopted son and honorary mayor of Bacolod.
He is also thankful to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, members of the City Council, and Representative Greg Gasataya.
"Thank you for making me an adopted son of Bacolod although I have my childhood roots in Iloilo City. Because of my sugar business now, I spend most of my time here in this City of Smile," he said.
He added: "Even before the time that I was conferred, I considered Bacolod City as my second home, thus, the citizens of Bacolod are my fellow citizens, the future of Bacolod is also my concern."
Chan was accompanied by his wife Mary Ann.
Leonardia issued Executive Order 6, which was signed on January 29, conferring upon Chan the distinction of being the honorary mayor during the celebration of the BacoLaodiat from February 15 to 18.
The City Council declared Chan as adopted son of Bacolod during the special session Friday.
He was named adopted son of Bacolod by virtue of Resolution 81, Series of 2018, passed and unanimously approved by the City Council on January 24.
Chan offered his honor to his father, who worked very hard, sacrificed and became successful.
"All that I am, all that we have as a family, we owe to my father whose guiding principle continuous to live us today. I humbly accept this honor of being name a honorary of mayor of Bacolod. God has blessed me with a gifts of music," Chan said.
He said music is the noblest of arts because it makes people happy, music is poetry that elevates the spirits and it's a God's gift to human soul.
Leonardia said Jose Mari Chan is a role model and inspiration to the people of Bacolod.
“We feel that you are the right man for the job, we believe that with you as our model and inspiration, this city is going to move forward, especially so that we are celebrating the 80th year of Bacolod,” Leonardia said.
He said Chan is a Bacolod resident who has sustained and kept alive the sugar industry in the province of Negros Occidental amid the hardships and challenges time when the industry was in peril.
During the dinner, the visitors were entertained with spectacular presentations from various local schools.