By Justin Gamulo, Davao Today Intern
DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Tourism Office (CTO) on Tuesday announced the two-day activities that will be held on February 18 and 19 in celebration of the 2015 Chinese New Year.
Lisette Marques, the Officer-In-Charge of CTO said that her office already got the endorsement from the city government and that they will mobilize for the planned activities.
Second District City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre in a privilege speech during the City Council’s regular session Tuesday said that the aim of the activity was to “celebrate the harmonious and longstanding relationship of Dabawenyos and the Chinese community, while promoting the development of Chinatown.”
Alejandre also emphasized that this year’s activity would be greater as compared to the previous year.
“Last year, we experienced Chinese New Year festival with fun-filled activities. This year, the council together with the different Chinese associations offer you more exciting and enjoyable activities,” he said.
A parade will formally start the program which will begin on February 18 at the Arch of Unity in Magsaysay, through J.P. Laurel, and will end at the Arch of Peace.
Government officials, the Davao City Chinatown Development Council, schools, volunteer firefighters and other groups and associations are expected to join the march.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the Arch of Peace at 5pm of February 18 followed by a community dinner with a live band entertainment.
A night run was also organized for 3K, 5K, and 10K categories with a P150 registration fee per entry.
The events on February 18 will be concluded with a midnight celebration.
The next day will be a traditional celebration of Chinese families through a Buddhist ceremony to bless all the Arches (Peace, Friendship, Unity and Prosperity) in the city.
The two-day celebration would finally end after a Thanksgiving mass around 12 NN at the Sta. Ana Avenue.
Susabel Reta, former city councilor and now the Vice President of Davao City Chinatown Development Council invited everyone to join the event.
“From the bottom of my heart, I am here requesting you all to be there and I’ll assure you that it will be different,” Reta said.
She also added that traditional Chinese delicacies like Misua and Tikoy will also be served in the event.(davaotoday.com)
