Beside Placid Waters

Saturday, January 21, 2012

A NEWS item in a local daily reminded me to hie off to the New Government Center last Wednesday afternoon to see the dragon lantern created by Miss Nunistell Mae Fulo-Lee and her companion Noby Juno along with the other entries to the Dragon Lantern Making Contest of the 7th Bacolaodiat Festival.

When I arrived at the NGC, some of the dragon lanterns were already in place. Some participating visual artists could be seen applying finishing touches to their entries. Near the flagpole, a giant yellow dragon-shaped inflatable balloon lay on its side.

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In a little while, air filled up the dragon balloon and it dramatically rose to a towering height. By late afternoon, the water fountain also came to life, as if to signal the onset of the Year of the Water Dragon.

A small sign announced that there will be a Dragon Fireworks display at the NGC on January 23, 2012 to usher in the Chinese New Year. The visual spectacle is set at 8:30 in the evening and this is quite convenient for people like me who are wont to retire early for the night.

The unique dragon lanterns made of metallic paper, plywood, recycled materials and even seashells attracted many visitors to the fountain area. As I settled on a bench, a bubble maker used his wares to create the gaseous water spheres which set off a chasing spree among the little ones.

Among the blissful tots was the cute daughter of Miss Nunistell who commanded everybody’s attention because of her doll-like appearance. Thus my afternoon at the NGC was spent in a most relaxing manner, taking pictures of the dragon lanterns, the visual artists, the promenaders and the happy children against the backdrop of the gushing waters and the glistening façade of the NGC in the distance.