Welcoming the Year of the Water Snake

SHOPPERS felt like they were in China with the Chinatown concept of reds, variety shows, dragon and lion dances and everything Chinese inside SM City on Sunday during the celebration of the Chinese New year.

Mall goers were definitely enlivened and enthralled of the mall’s complete transformation into a Chinatown, through the efforts of Ms. Jena Morales, SM Mall’s Senior Visual Display Manager for Visayas and Mindanao.

Plus the full and exhilarating program of activities.

Like what was in the tradition during every Chinese New Year, lion and dragon dancers swayed to the beating of the drums, cymbals and gongs as they welcome the year of the Water Snake.

The dancers visited every mall tenant as they performed the traditional custom of cai ching, which literally means “plucking the greens,” a quest by the lion to pluck the auspicious green vegetable (like lettuce which the Chinese called cai meaning fortune) and fruit (like orange) tied to a red envelope, either hang highly or just put on a table in front of the premises.

The lion dancers approached the green and red envelope like a curious cat, ate the green and spit it out, leaving it in a nice arrangement like “the auspicious character” but kept the red envelope.

The Chinese say the lion dance is believed to bring good luck and fortune to businesses, that’s why every tenant of the mall waited for the lion to pass by.

The dragon reportedly represents wisdom, power and wealth, which is a very important aspect of the Chinese culture.

It is also said that the Dragon Dance performed on New Year's Day scares away the evil spirit and all the bad luck that goes with it.

Dragon dancers held the dragon up on poles, raising and lowering the dragon and made it "dance" as they also made their way to the crowd, to the sounds of horns, drums and gongs.

It was a day of pure fun as valued shoppers also enjoyed watching the Chinese’s cultural shows of singing and dancing, performed by the students of Kong Hua School. Mall goers enjoyed the performances and were amazed as the students, clad in their colorful Chinese costumes, presented their piece in perfection.

Picture taking galore was evident at the Chinese New Year Photo Op corner. Shoppers also had the chance to pick their luck at the Money tree display once they purchase a minimum amount of P1,000.

It was also the time of the year when shoppers had the chance to taste Chinese delicacies and buy lucky charms displayed at the bazaar.

Clara Elizaga, SM City mall manager, says every year, they always celebrate Chinese New Year.

“But this year is much grander as we really made an effort to make our valued customers feel the celebration,” she says.

Ivy Guantero, SM City public relations manager, said the Chinese New Year activity in the mall will continue with the dragon dances, Chinese delicacies and others that everyone believe will bring good luck.

“Our celebration will show how Chinese New Year is being celebrated at SM Mall,” Guantero says.