THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay Inc. will distribute 5,000 New Year gift packages to 5,000 indigent families in Iloilo City on February 10, as part of the 2013 Chinese New Year Festival celebration this year.

The gift pack distribution to be held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand will be spearheaded by federation officials headed by President Ramon Cua Locsin and City Mayor Jed Patrick as a yearly gift giving event of the Ilonggo-Chinese community here.

The 2013 Chinese New Year festival is a joint undertaking of the Iloilo City Government and the Iloilo Chinese Cultural Association.

The festival starts on Friday, February 8, with a declaration of the festival opening by Mabilog with a program at the SM City event center. This will be followed by daily activities and the opening of Chinese food festival at the Chinatown along Iznart St. and organized by the Iloilo Hotel, Restaurants and Resorts Association (IHRRA).

A festival banquet on February 15 will be hosted by the city mayor for the guests and federation members with the Chinese Ambassador as invited guest speaker.

A grand cultural parade will follow in the afternoon from the capitol area to the Chinatown triangle up the food festival area for a cultural program along Iznart Street.

A world class pyrotechnics and fireworks display will cap the Chinese New Year celebration here.