CHINESE NEW YEAR BUDGET. Lisette Marques, head of the City Tourism and Promotions, says the city government has allotted P100,000 for the Chinese New Year celebration on Sunday, February 7, while another P400,000 will come from the private sector. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY – As a gesture of sharing an important Chinese traditional festival to all, Davao will be celebrating the Lunar new year at the historical Rizal park.
Instead of the usual location — the Davao Chinatown — City Tourism and Promotions Chief Lisette Marques said the Chinese community decided to choose Rizal Park for a reason.
“The Chinatown Development Council has announced that they would like to bring in the Chinese New Year to the entire Davaoeño community and not just confined in Chinatown area,” Marques told a press conference on Monday, February 1.
Interestingly, the park who was named after Jose Protacio Mercado y Alonso — the country’s national hero — was of Chinese descent, whose ancestors came from Chin-Chew, Fujian.
Davao will be celebrating the beginning of the year of the Fire Monkey on Sunday, February 7, a day earlier than the actual event in the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.
Marques said the event was done so to encourage more people to come as most businesses would be closed on Sundays.
Except for the fireworks, residents participating the “Salubong sa Chinese New Year” will see the usual festivities, including thetraditional dragon dance. Food stalls will also be available during the activity.
Around P400,000 has been allotted for the celebration by the private sector, while the city government has given at least P100,000 for logistical support. (davaotoday.com)
