Business tycoon Henry Sy, owner SM malls that started in the Philippines and now with branches in Asian countries, will be the third honorary mayor of Bacolod City.

Jennifer Gochangco-Ong, chair of the 12th Bacolaodiat Festival on January 27-28, announced at a press conference yesterday, that Sy has accepted the invitation of Bacolod to become honorary mayor of which, the ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 2 pm at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Aside from becoming an honorary mayor, he will also be honored as an adopted son of the city.

Sy will be represented by his son Mr. Hans Sy during the ceremonies.

According to Ong, from the airport, Hans will go directly to the new government center, where he will witness the proceedings in the special session of the members of Sangguniang Panlungsod, to be presided over by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, for the conferment of Henry Sy as adopted son of Bacolod.

Familiaran will then give to Hans the framed resolution stating therein the adoption of his father.

After Hans delivers his response, they will have photo opportunities with the councilors and vice mayor. From the SP session hall, Hans will be ushered to the City Mayor’s Office, where Mayor Evelio Leonardia will confer his father Henry through an executive order to be issued by the mayor, declaring him as honorary mayor of Bacolod.

Henry Sy will be the third honorary mayor of Bacolod, declared at the highlight of the Bacolaodiat Festival celebration.

The first honorary mayor was business tycoon Lucio Tan, followed by another business tycoon, John Gokongwei.

Leonardia said it is an undeniable fact that the Tsinoy community has greatly contributed to the economic growth of the city.

To foster the relationship between Negrenses and the Tsinoys, the Bacolaodiat Festival was organized by Mayor Leonardia in 2006.

2017 BACOLAODIAT

During the festival on January 27 to 28, the center of activities will be the North Capitol Road and Lacson Tourism Strip beside the Provincial Capitol Lagoon, from the junction of 13th Street to Cottage Road.

On January 29, the activities will focus at the New Government Center.

With Leonardia and Ong in reviewing and completing the finishing touches of the preparations, are businessman Crispin Chua, Bacolaodiat board member; Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran; City Administrator John Orola; businessman Alfredo Barcelona, past festival chair; and Mark Gomez, Spring Festival events chair.

Bacolaodiat, according to Leonardia, has united not only the Chinese community in Bacolod but also the Negrenses.*(Edith B. Colmo)