AS THE whole world celebrates and welcomes the year of the red monkey, Cagayan de Oro City stages the very first Chinese New Year Festival from January 30 to February 20, 2016.
The festival opened officially last January 30 with a launching ceremony at the Tourism Assistance Center in Divisoria. Also unveiled on that day is the ongoing photo exhibit located at the back of the Tourism Assistance Center.
“This is a good start para ang tao ma learn ang culture sa Chinese,” said Greg Marten Lao, the president of Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and president of Cagayan de Oro Bell Church Foundation, Inc.
Lao added that the relationship is very tight between the Filipino-Chinese community of Cagayan de Oro and the rest of the city but he also shared that with this first ever Chinese New Year Festival, the Filipino-Chinese community hopes that the tie becomes even more bonded and strong through a better understanding of the Filipino-Chinese culture.
Other activities for the said festival include Chinese New Year Cosplay last January 31st; a Chinese Movie Festival from January 30 to February 8 at the City Hall Complex; a Chinese Food Bazaar in Limketkai Center and SM City, and a Chinese Food Exhibit at Centrio Mall from February 5 to 8; Search for Campus Models on February 5th; Lion and Dragon Dance on February 6 and Community Performances on February 7 atSM City; also on February 7, the World of Fantasy Fashion Show, Dim Sum Sampling, Calligraphy Show, and Chinese Handicrafts in Limketkai, and Chinese Cultural Show by Kong Hua School at Centrio Mall.
A Fireworks Show at the Bell Church was also staged on February 7 which is the eve of the official New Year.
Today, February 8, the Filipino-Chinese community will also be distributing 2,000 boxes of Lucky Tikoy which is said to bring prosperity to those who receive them.
“Mas sweeter ang taste sa tikoy, mas magdikit ang mga tao,” said Lao, “Dili na mag away ang mga tao, peaceful ang relationships. Mao na ang prayer nato this year, peaceful life. Ga ask pod ta sa blessing sa Ginoo, na maghatag swerte sa tao. Ato pod prayer for next year is mas ma kwartahan, mas ma prosperous.”
Other activities on the 8th include the Lantern Parade with Lion Dancers; a lion Dance at Centrio; and a second staging, this time in Limketkai Rotunda, of the Chinese Cultural Show by Kong Hua School. There is also a Feng Shui consultation at SM Mall on the 9th of February.
The Filipino-Chinese community appreciates that the city government recognizes their contributions to the city. Some of their contributions to the city include shouldering the maintenance, gas, and other expenses for the Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade and their seven fire trucks, their immediate assistance to the victims of Sendong and the funding for the 300 houses built in the Filipino Chinese Friendship Village in Canito-an.
“Maybe next year, we can do this event again and make it even better,” added Lao. He also noted that there are a lot of citywide activities during the latter half of year but not so much during the start. He shared that the Chinese New Year Festival can be a big event for the city at the start of the year.