SEVEN years ago, the Chinese- Filipino community headed by businessman Peter Ng and Dr. Charles Cheng came out with a program to extend their helping hand for the indigent residents of Baguio City.
"It became addictive and our group was so excited, asking who will become the next recipients for the ‘institutionalized’ yearly Chinese-Filipino Barangay Gift Sharing as part of our Chinese Lunar New year celebration," Peter Ng said.
Ng recalled that their group was so happy over their recipients' joyful reaction during the gift sharing, as children fell in line receiving fruits and goodies.
"It's not hard now to convince my fellow Chinese-Filipino businessmen here to also share their ‘blessings from the Lord’ and open their pockets for the needy. Actually our group became active in various community projects and feeding programs in various schools not only during the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New year celebrations,” Ng beamed.
The gift sharing program extended its outreach project, courtesy of City Administrator Peter Fianza, to include medical, dental, optical and various services for a selected indigent community by the City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Betty Fangasan. SM-Baguio also came into the picture this year giving boxes of medicines through the management officials and staff represented by Amy Gonzales during the outreach program at San Antronio Village.
Peter Ng, parade and streamers chairman, assured the public that the Chinese Lunar New Year which falls on the zodiac sign of the "Year of the Metal Tiger" last Saturday (February 13) was more colorful and full of surprises while restaurants, bar and hotel establishments and other related food companies here joined in the grand parade handing out goodies and "ampaw", a small red envelope containing money for good luck.
The traditional Dragon and Lion Dance, street dancing, and wushu street acts were among the much-awaited activities marking this year's grand parade down Session Road.
"We will keep on improving this yearly celebration as it is being institutionalized and funded by the City Government. People from all walks of life always anticitipate the celebration of Chinese lunar New Year,” vice chairmen William Ang and Dennis Sy said.