Lunar New Year activities set in Banawe Chinatown

MANILA, Philippines — To celebrate the Lunar New Year tomorrow, a series of activities will be held at the Banawe Chinatown District in Quezon City.

The local government is inviting the public to join the festivities to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse.

“Chinese New Year is a meaningful time of renewal, hope and shared prosperity not only for the Chinese and Filipino-Chinese community but for all QCitizens,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said yesterday.

“By celebrating this tradition together, we recognize the contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community to our city’s history, culture and growth, while strengthening the spirit of unity that defines our city,” Belmonte added.

The celebrations started last week, with a food crawl featuring some of the must-visit Chinese and Filipino-Chinese restaurants in Banawe.

The main celebration will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. tomorrow along Banawe street, from Del Monte Avenue to N.S. Amoranto street.

Activities include bike ride Banawe loop, cultural workshops, drum and lyre competition as well as a bazaar and night market.

The main event in the evening will feature a concert, cultural performances, a lion and dragon dance, mini float parade showcase and Chinese face-changing performances.

The festivities will culminate with a grand fireworks display at 8 p.m.

“Holding this special celebration in Banawe also means this place is more than a commercial center, but is a vibrant symbol of our multicultural identity,” Belmonte said.

“We are showcasing Banawe as a cultural and tourism destination where heritage, creativity and local enterprise thrive side by side, bringing opportunities to small businesses and joy to our visitors,” she added.