CHINESE NEW YEAR. Jasper Huang, public relations officer of the Davao City Chinatown Development Council, presents the highlights of the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration during the regular I-Speak at the city hall, February 7. (davaotoday.com photo by Alex D. Lopez)
Chinese New Year is considered the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It runs from the first day of the month of the Chinese lunar calendar which is on February 10.
By IRENE V. DAGUDOG
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Opening festivities of the Chinese New Year here will be at the Davao Central High School (DCHS) vicinity along Sta. Ana Avenue tomorrow (February 8), announced Jasper Huang, public relations officer of the Davao City Chinatown Development Council (DCCDC) at the regular media forum, I-Speak.
A portion of the Sta. Ana road will be closed for the program which will start at 6:30 PM, featuring a parade of animal lanterns, the traditional lion dance, and a treat of tikoy, misya and tea for all Davaoeños.
Chinese schools in Davao, such as the DCHS, Davao Christian High School, Philippine Academy of Sakya, Collegio de San Ignacio and Stella Maris Academy of Davao will also present performance numbers at the program.
There will also be a raffle contest and a film showing.
“We are hoping that Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio can come, although we know that she is on bed rest but most probably all the top officials of Davao City will be there tomorrow,” Huang said, adding that the Filipino-Chinese organizations, as well as the 13 family associations in Davao will be there.
Those thinking of having a Chinese food trip and watching Chinese movies will have their day on February 9, as stalls and bazaars will be opened for these along Sta. Ana Avenue.
Evening is party time with a variety show featuring Manila-based entertainers invited to initiate the countdown to meet the Chinese New Year.
A “Year of the Snake Fun Run” will take place on February 10.
Chinese New Year is considered the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It runs from the first day of the month of the Chinese lunar calendar which is on February 10.
Chinese New Year’s Day is usually celebrated with family reunions and among the customs observed include pouring out money to buy presents and decorating the house for good luck.
Greeting the Chinese New Year with firecrackers is a custom but this is foregone in Davao City in observance of the 10-year-old Firecracker Ban.
Davao City has a significant population of Filipino-Chinese settlers. Most of them are engaged in business, with stores and establishments located at the 44-hectare Davao Chinatown, the only Chinatown in Mindanao, encompassing the areas of Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, Monteverde Avenue, Sta. Ana Avenue and Leon Garcia Street.
There are archways bordering the Chinatown. The “Arch of Friendship” is located along Magsaysay Avenue, near Jones Circle, “The Unity Archway” which can be found at the other end of Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, near the Magsaysay Park in Manuel Quezon Boulevard and the “Arch of Peace” which is situated at the corners of Jose P. Laurel and Sta. Ana. Avenue near the Davao Central High School. (Irene V. Dagudog/davaotoday.com)
