BENEATH the red branches of a prosperity tree in the hotel’s grand lobby, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu welcomed the Year of the Earth Dog with traditions even grander than the festivities for the previous Chinese New Year.
The program started off with a martial arts performance by the Talisay Malayan Academy Wushu Club, followed by the traditional eye dotting ceremony led by hotel general manager Brian Connelly. Guests who filled up the lobby to take part in the celebration enjoyed the lively and festive lion and dragon dance performances that went around the hotel to channel good fortune and ward off bad luck. This was followed by the ceremonial Yee Sang Toss, believed to bring prosperity. The higher the toss, the greater the luck. Selected members of the Filipino-Chinese community, including guest of honor Chinese Consul General Shi Yong, gathered around the giant bowl of Yee Sang and used six-foot-long giant chopsticks to send the orange, yellow, green, and red ingredients flying up into the air. Whether guests were more comfortable with regular-sized chopsticks or silverware, everyone was then invited to Café Marco to sample Culinary Impressions of China, where special Chinese dishes were served alongside the international buffet.