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Saturday, January 14, 2006
All systems go for Chinese spring festival
PREPARATIONS for this year's Chinese Lunar New Year celebration are underway for the big event on January 27.
Also known as the "Spring Festival," the celebration will be formally launched during the flag-raising ceremony in front of the Baguio City Hall on January 23. This will be followed by a gift-sharing with indigent families on January 25 in Barangay Fairview, in coordination with Lolita Demot and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
The grand parade has been set at 3:30 p.m. on January 27, starting at the Casa Vallejo and ending at the Melvin Jones Grandstand, said committee chairman Peter Ng.
Ng's team composed of Paul Go, Lorenzo Ong, Tony Lee and Antonio Candelaria is also setting up the traditional fireworks display at the Burnham Park.
Three outstanding Baguio residents - three each from the Filipino and Chinese communities - will be honored this year for their contributions to the city in fostering Filipino-Chinese relations. They will be feted during a dinner expected to be graced by Ambassador Li Jinjun of the People's Republic of China.
Dr. Charles Cheng, who heads the awards committee, is encouraging residents to nominate this year's awardees. Nomination forms are available at the City Administrator's Office, care of Pepito Avena.
The awards committee is composed of City Administrator Peter Fianza, William Ang, Simeon Neria, Lorenzo Lim and Jose Tajan. Neria, together with Alex Sia, has also been assigned to head the committee on food.
Businessman Dennis Sy, a well-known civic leader, particularly in serving the Baguio Regreening Movement, the city's multi-sectoral group at the forefront of its environmental concerns, has been named chairman of the finance committee. With him are Jimmy Uy and Co An of the Coyeesan Hotel.
Lourdes Lucero heads the committee on program, printing and invitations with Danny Chan who was also designated auditor. With them are Jeff Ng, Mark Cu and Albert Ong.
Three patriarchs of the Filipino-Chinese community - Gonzalo Ong, Conrado Romero and Freddie Wong - will guide the preparations as advisers.
The Spring Festival, a celebration of re-birth and new beginnings, has its beginnings in the ancient legend of "Nian", a savage creature who lived under the sea.
"Nian" would jump out of the water and attack villages, devouring everything along its way. Villagers hung bright red paper on their doors and lit firecrackers to scare the monster away.
The dog symbolizes honesty, faithfulness, loyalty and responsibility. (RD)
(January 14, 2006 issue)
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