BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – This southern city showcases unity in diversity in welcoming the auspicious Chinese New Year 2024, the Year of the Wooden Dragon.
In coordination with the local Chinese community, the city government through the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), yesterday kicked off a week-long Chinese New Year celebration at SM City Iloilo, the focal point of the festivities.
This year, the Chinese New Year falls on the 10th of February.
With its theme “Harmony in Blossom: 20 Years of Cultivating Filipino-Chinese Unity,” SM City Iloilo is hosting a series of events. The opening of the Chinese New Year cultural exhibit steamrolled the celebrations.
Mallgoers were treated, too, with dragon and lion dances and a grand cultural show by four Chinese-Filipino schools – Sun Yat Sen High School of Iloilo, Ateneo de Iloilo, Iloilo Scholastic Academy, and Hua Siong College of Iloilo.
A sneak preview of the Quanzhou puppet show will happen on February 8 at SM City Iloilo.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas thanked the Chinese-Filipino community for their significant contributions to the city. He also reminisced starting the Chinese New Year celebration 20 years ago.
The event has since grown, with participation from various Chinese business groups and schools, reinforcing the city’s reputation for harmony and inclusivity, and emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity.
Treñas also commended SM City Iloilo for hosting the opening ceremony, acknowledging the mall’s strong partnership with the city government.
“The schedules are all set. Most of the activities are at SM City Iloilo because they contributed a lot,” said Treñas.
Peter Chan, executive director of Iloilo Scholastic Academy (ISA) and chairperson of the Chinese New Year 2024 task force, emphasized that planning and preparation were a collaborative effort involving various city sectors, government agencies, participating schools, and Chinese business organizations.
For their part, Ryan Allan Tan, IFFI president, and Dr. Roland Uy, Chinese New Year 2024 chairman, said this year’s celebration also marks 20 years of productive ties between the Ilonggos and the Chinese community.
Today, February 7, the Chinese New Year Mall Show by the Iloilo Scholastic Academy will take place at the Event Center of SM City Iloilo. Tomorrow, a preview of the Quanzhou Puppet Show will also happen at the Event Center.
A grand parade and cultural show at the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc on Iznart Street will take place on February 9, with the Consul General of China in Cebu expected to attend.
On February 9, a Thanksgiving Mass for Ilonggo-Tsinoys will take place at the Santa Maria Chinese-Filipino Parish at 8 a.m.
Other Chinese New Year activities lined up include a food festival and a fireworks display at the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc downtown.
Concluding the celebration on February 11 will be a mall show at SM City Iloilo featuring Hua Siong College of Iloilo and Sun Yat Sen High School./PN
