City marks Chinese New Year with bigger, brighter celebration

The Iloilo city government will be having a grand celebration of the Chinese New Year today, February 8.

Traditional dragon dancers perform before a crowd of pleased Ilonggos as they wend their way through Iznart Street during last year's Chinese New Year celebration. This year's Chinese New Year is expected to be bigger in scope and more colorful. City PIO

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas noted that Iloilo is the first city in the country to celebrate the Chinese New Year. He said the occasion is the city's way of extending gratitude to the Chinese community here for their continued support to the Ilonggos.

To note, Chinese businessmen had donated patrol jeeps and traffic gears to the city government. The mayor cited that they have always been supportive of the city's projects.

The event will start at 3:00 in the afternoon until midnight . Activities in Iznart Street include food festival showcasing Chinese delicacies, night market, Lion and Dragon Dance, parade and cultural presentations and spectacular fireworks display at 8:00 in the evening.

Treñas said he has invited a top official from World Bank and the Chinese Consulate from Cebu to grace the affair. Bacolod City mayor Bing Leonardia will lead a 37-member team to witness the activity as they also wanted to replicate it in their city by next year.

Treñas added that organizers are expecting a lot of people to attend the celebration. This will be the biggest party outside Metro Manila in line with the Chinese New Year highlight. Well-known Ilonggo singer Jose Mari Chan will also be performing.

The city has doled out P50,000 for a successful hosting. The event is organized by the Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Inc., Federation Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce-Panay Inc., Iloilo Multisectoral Business Organization, Inc., Chinese Family Associations, Iloilo Central Commercial High School , Sun Yat Sen High School , Sta. Maria Catholic School, Iloilo Scholastic Academy, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Buddha's Light International Association and Iloilo Hotel Resorts and   Restaurants Association. (With report from City PIO)