Davao City’s Chinatown Development Council in partnership with Davao City Tourism Office hosted the annual countdown to welcome the Chinese New Year at People’s Park Davao City on Thursday night gathering a crowd of both Chinese and non-Chinese Davaoeños.
The event featured Chinese ceremony to shed off bad luck including the traditional Lion and Dragon Dances, as well as activities for everyone to enjoy.
Despite the unpleasant weather, Davaoeños came out in droves to celebrate the event as the rest of the night was filled with performances from various sectors and institutions in the city. Students of Davao Chong Hua High School, the first Chinese school established in the city performed popular and traditional Chinese song and dances. Meanwhile, Davao City comedians hosted games such as Hopia-eating contest and longest breath in New Year greeting. A hip-hop competition was also held.
Susan Isabel Reta of Davao City Chinatown Development Council said this year’s celebration is different because it was held at the People’s Park for the first time.
“Of course what makes it different this year is we’re celebrating the Year of the Fire Rooster and because we have it here at People’s Park because there is a rally going on at Rizal Park,” she explained.
Reta also expressed her optimism with the good relationship of the Filipino-Chinese community in the City.
She also bared DCCDC’s project in partnership with the city government which is the establishment of signboards bearing the names of key areas in Chinatown for identification of the location.
Meanwhile, City Tourism Officer Gene Rose Tecson said the program is an effort to show every Davaoeños the good relationship among Chinese members of the community and to their Filipino counterparts.
“We have a number of tribes and nationalities in Davao City but we are all working together,” said Tecson as she emphasized that the program is one way to show the unity among diverse cultures within the city.
In Chinese Lunar Calendar, Year of the Rooster begins on January 28, 2017 and lasts until 15th February 2018.
