A new New Year
Published Jan 19, 2023 12:02 am
MEDIUM RARE
Jullie Y. Daza
It’s the 19th day of 2023 going by the Gregorian calendar. On the lunar calendar it’s three days to go before the new New Year, this one belonging to the Water Rabbit, a gentle cuddly creature on which hopes are pinned for a calmer year with few or no cataclysmic disruptions.
It was fitting that on Jan. 16, six days before the start of the Chinese new year, Chinese Ambassador Huan Xilian would throw a big party – with enough guests to fill the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt in BGC – to celebrate with virtual fireworks, heavy cocktail food, and live entertainment provided by lion and dragon dancers, singing and dancing groups from Bayanihan and Angeles City, the “man of many faces” who switched masks seamlessly, as tai pans circulated among themselves, diplomats, generals in uniform, and embassy staff. Messages from President BBM and First Lady Lisa A. Marcos, and VP Duterte were played on huge video screens, all three wishing one and all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
As Ambassador Huang put it, a “steady growth in Chinese-Philippine relations” augurs well for both countries, proof of which the Chinoy community of tai pans and lesser mortals can more than adequately provide. In the cocktail crowd I craned my neck to see Henry Lim Bon Liong, Hans Sy, Carlos Chan, Stephen Techico, Cecilio Pedro, Greg Tanlimco, Lolita Ching, and da MB boss ECY3.
Dr. Fernando Gan, secretary general of the biggest, most widespread and pro-active business group hereabouts, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., confirmed that national elections will be held in March in Manila. As the story goes, it’s not so much a candidate’s raising a deeper campaign chest than the others, but his or her ability to convince the delegates of their projects’ usefulness and viability.
In the meantime, Dr. Gan has been meeting with Sen. Sonny Angara and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez to craft a bill that would make Chinese New Year a legal holiday without having to wait for an executive order from Malacañang. The only hitch here is a planetary one: CNY could start in January or February, precisely because the lunar calendar is based on the moon’s cycle of 28, not 30 days.
Jullie Y. Daza
It’s the 19th day of 2023 going by the Gregorian calendar. On the lunar calendar it’s three days to go before the new New Year, this one belonging to the Water Rabbit, a gentle cuddly creature on which hopes are pinned for a calmer year with few or no cataclysmic disruptions.
It was fitting that on Jan. 16, six days before the start of the Chinese new year, Chinese Ambassador Huan Xilian would throw a big party – with enough guests to fill the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt in BGC – to celebrate with virtual fireworks, heavy cocktail food, and live entertainment provided by lion and dragon dancers, singing and dancing groups from Bayanihan and Angeles City, the “man of many faces” who switched masks seamlessly, as tai pans circulated among themselves, diplomats, generals in uniform, and embassy staff. Messages from President BBM and First Lady Lisa A. Marcos, and VP Duterte were played on huge video screens, all three wishing one and all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
As Ambassador Huang put it, a “steady growth in Chinese-Philippine relations” augurs well for both countries, proof of which the Chinoy community of tai pans and lesser mortals can more than adequately provide. In the cocktail crowd I craned my neck to see Henry Lim Bon Liong, Hans Sy, Carlos Chan, Stephen Techico, Cecilio Pedro, Greg Tanlimco, Lolita Ching, and da MB boss ECY3.
Dr. Fernando Gan, secretary general of the biggest, most widespread and pro-active business group hereabouts, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., confirmed that national elections will be held in March in Manila. As the story goes, it’s not so much a candidate’s raising a deeper campaign chest than the others, but his or her ability to convince the delegates of their projects’ usefulness and viability.
In the meantime, Dr. Gan has been meeting with Sen. Sonny Angara and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez to craft a bill that would make Chinese New Year a legal holiday without having to wait for an executive order from Malacañang. The only hitch here is a planetary one: CNY could start in January or February, precisely because the lunar calendar is based on the moon’s cycle of 28, not 30 days.