LIST: Lunar New Year festivities for Year of the Pig

MANILA, Philippines — Several malls have released their schedule of festivities for the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.

This annual celebration is considered to be one of the most important events in the Chinese calendar.

In 2019, the Chinese community will welcome the Year of the Pig which will last from February 5 to Jan. 24, 2020.

Pig, also called the boar, symbolizes “abundance and benevolence” for the ancient Chinese.

To welcome the year, the malls have prepared several activities for their patrons. These include the traditional dragon and lion dance, fortune telling, cultural performances and fireworks display, among others.

On January 30, Shangri-la Plaza would begin its 13th Spring Film Festival that would run until February 5. It will also hold a Chinese musical event titled “Spring Serenade” on February 2.

SM Aura, on the other hand, started its weeklong celebration of the Chinese New Year celebration last week. It partnered with agency Write on Track as well as the Cultural Office of the Embassy of People’s Republic of China for the celebration.

They are letting the mall goers “explore and experience Chinese culture through photographs, calligraphy, music, and arts” for free.

Meanwhile, Lucky Chinatown, located in the heart of the oldest China town in the world in Binondo, Manila, will hold a Chinese New Year Countdown on February 4.

Among the performers for the countdown are the following artists:

• I Belong to The Zoo

• Janine Teñoso

• Bret Jackson

• James Reid

• This Band

• Quest

• KZ Tandingan

The countdown will also be capped off with a fireworks display.

Here is a running list of events slated for the Lunar New Year: