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Cagayan de Oro City will mark the first ever city-wide celebration of the Chinese New Year, also known globally as the Spring Festival.
Mayor Oscar S. Moreno has signed Executive Order No. 009-16, series of 2016, dated 19 January 2016 creating the City Committee to undertake various activities for the Cagayan de Oro Chinese New Year Festival.
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The E.O. cites Section 16 of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) which provides that every local government unit shall within their respective territorial jurisdictions, ensure and support, the preservation and enrichment of culture, and furthermore, considers partnerships with different sectors of the community as a vital part of local governance.
President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III previously issued Proclamation No. 831 on July 17, 2014 declaring the annual Chinese New Year as a special, non-working holiday.
It is estimated that one out of every five Filipinos today are of Chinese descent. The E.O. also recognized the vital contribution of the Filipino-Chinese community to the dramatic growth and development of Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao region and the country.
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Bell Church Cagayan de Oro at Tambo, Macasandig
Eileen E. San Juan, chairperson of the City Investment and Trade Center and the Cagayan de Oro Tourism Council Events Committee, has been appointed to head the festival committee with Greg Marten Lao, president of the Bell Church Cagayan de Oro Chapter and Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (MOFCCCII), as co- chair.
San Juan said although the Chinese New Year celebration traditionally starts 15 days before the Lunar New Year (Monday, 8 February for 20 16) and ends 15 days later, the CTC elected to start off with a modest program starting this Saturday, 30 January 2016 up to the Chinese New Year on 08 February.
“Since we will have a long weekend with the Chinese New Year this year falling on a Monday, we decided to take advantage of this fortuitous event and start the festivities in the weekend immediately before that,” San Juan said.
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Dragon Dance
The highlights of the week-long celebration include a launching program this Saturday, 30 January 2016, starting 4PM at the Kiosko Kagawasan in historic Plaza Divisoria featuring Dragon and Lion Dances by dancers from Kong Hua and Oro Grace Christian School, and crowd favorite Wushu weapons exhibition by members of the Phil. Wushu Federation-Cagayan de Oro Chapter featuring taolu individual or group routines with short weapons like the Dao (刀 or knife), Nandao (南刀 or Southern Style knife), Jian (劍 or double-edged sword) and Taijijian (太極劍 or Taiji double-edged sword) and long weapons like the gun (棍 or white wax wood staff) ; Nangun (南棍 or Southern cudgel) ; and Qiang (槍 or spear).
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Changquan (長拳 or Long Fist) jiti or group event
The launching program will be immediately followed by the opening of a Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Heritage Photo Exhibit at the Tourism Assistance Center just across the Kiosko Kagawasan which shall feature photographs of the pioneering Chinese families of the city, their establishments and their key contributions to the safety, security and growth of the city.
Other key events include a week-long Chinese Movie Festival at the City Hall Plaza featuring classic Chinese movies with subtitles courtesy of the Chinese Consulate in Cebu. The event is open free to the public and will run from Sunday, 31 January to Thursday, 04 February starting 7PM every evening.
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Warriors of Heaven and Earth movie poster
There will also be a Chinese Food Fair at the City Hall which will feature famous Filipino-Chinese delicacies like Tikoy, Pansit, Boiled Dumplings, Lumpia, and Hopia. Similar Chinese Food fairs and exhibits will also be hosted by major malls in the city like Centrio, Limketkai Center, and SM City Cagayan de Oro.
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Dim Sum Various Kinds — Image by © Studio Eye/Corbis
The city’s two Filipino-Chinese schools Kong Hua School and Oro Grace Christian School will also present cultural performances with song and dances at all major malls starting Friday, 05 January 2016. A billboard detailing all major events will be posted near the Tourism Assistance Center in Plaza Divisoria for the guidance and reference of all residents and visitors.
A unique treat awaits curious Kagay-anons who want to explore their Chinese roots with the special new year offering and the lighting of the first incense stick at the Bell Church Cagayan de Oro in Macasandig on New Year’s Eve starting 11:00PM and culminating with the traditional Chinese New Year’s fireworks to welcome the Year of the Fire Monkey courtesy of Phoenix Fireworks.
GONG XI FA CAI!
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