Chinese New Year celebrations around Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Undoubtedly Cebu enjoys one of the longest holiday seasons in the Philippines.

After the merry month of December, Cebuanos immediately prepare for the annual Sinulog festival which is held on the third Sunday of January. The event, which honors the Child Jesus, culminates with a street parade and dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs.

One would imagine that after six weeks of merriment, people would be ready to resume the routine schedules of work and responsibilities.

However, true to form, the Cebuanos once again were out in the streets, this time to welcome the Chinese New Year.

The hotels, resorts and restaurants were busy as ever. The Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, the venue of choice for the city's most important gatherings, brought a visual and gastronomic feast with their annual Fire in the Sky celebration.

The festivities started with the ceremonial dotting of the lions' eyes that symbolize their coming into the world. The Guests of Honor were Mayor Michael Rama, Republic of China's Consul General to Cebu He Shijing, Cathay Pacific Cebu Manager Camilla Taylor, socialite Elvira Luym, and the property's full of wonderful ideas GM Marco Protacio.

A sumptuous dinner was served at Café Uno, which offered a beautiful spread of Chinese flavors at its Asian food stations. Finally, guests witnessed a spectacular nine-minute computer-synchronized fireworks display at the hotel's Lagoon Garden, which left guests simply mesmerized.

      The Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa opted to have their celebration at noon with Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, and Consul General He Shijing assisted by GM Joaquim doing the honors of dotting the lions' eyes.

Authentic Chinese dishes served with hot tea and cool refreshing sodas awaited guests at the Tea of Spring, considered one of the best Chinese restaurants in the island.

Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, the property that dares to be different in the most positive manner, likewise had the traditional rituals but added the popular Yee Sang Ceremony wherein Guests of Honor led once again by Gov. Garcia, Consul General He Shijing, APTM Chairman & Federal Land, Inc. President Alfred Ty, Honorary Consul of Korea Augusto Go, DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, philanthropist Mariquita Yeung, The Freeman Lifestyle Executive Editor Marlinda Angbetic Tan, among others, tossed the salad ingredients as high as possible for good luck and good fortune. A superb dinner was served at Café Marco with invitees bringing home a cuddly white and pink rabbit as souvenir.

Everybody's friend General Manager Hans Hauri, with ever supportive wife Bo, were more than pleased to see everyone simply enjoying the festivities. (FREEMAN)