The traditional Banawe Chinese New Year celebration will return after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, said the Quezon City local government on Monday, Jan. 16.
The city government, through QC Tourism Department (QCTD) headed by Tetta Tirona, will lead the celebration on Sunday, Jan. 22, at the corner of P. Florentino and Banawe Avenue.
In line with the Executive Order No. 53 Series of 2022 or reconstituting the organizing committee for the Chinese New Year celebration, the city government said the event will be making its festive comeback with various face-to-face activities, including a Chinatown float parade, dragon and lion dance performance, food festival, and bazaar and fireworks displays.
“Ito’y isang paraan ng pagpapakita ng ating pakikiisa sa ating Filipino-Chinese community na katuwang natin sa pag-unlad at pagpapatibay ng ating siyudad (This is a way of showing our solidarity to our Filipino-Chinese community who is our partner in the development and strengthening of our city),” said Tirona.
“Nagpasya rin tayong gawin ulit ang Banawe Chinese New Year celebration para maipakita ang unti-unting pagbalik natin sa normal mula sa epekto ng pandemya (We also decided to do the Banawe Chinese New Year celebration again to show our gradual return to normal from the impact of the pandemic),” she added.
People's Republic of China (PRC) Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian will serve as guest of honor and keynote speaker during the event.
Other guests will be Quezon City Association of Filipino Chinese Businessmen Inc. (QCAFCBI) President Joaquin Co and Quezon City Chinatown Development Foundation (QCCDF) Chairman Charles Chen, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and District 1 Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde.
Atayde will also provide a short message during the program, while Sotto will deliver the closing remarks.
The city government said it invited local and international performers such as the Philippine Kong Han Athletic Club Lion Dancers, the Philippine Cultural Chinese 20-piece Orchestra, the Chinese Cultural Dance Group, and Philippine Institute of QC Children’s Glee Club to entertain the audience.
The event will be hosted by actor Enchong Dee, it added.
Philippine Wushu Colleges and Clubs Association will also hold a Wushu or Kung fu (martial arts) exhibition, while Feng Shui Master Rev. Fr. Wong Seng Tian will provide a talk to give predictions for the Chinese New Year.
The city government also said it continues to improve accessibility, environmental sustainability, infrastructure, and amenities in QC Chinatown at Banawe after it was formally designated as one of the city's tourism destinations under City Ordinance No. 2453-2015.