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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 21 Jan) – The local government here opened the week-long celebration of the Chinese lunar New Year starting Monday with dances and exhibitions at the parks and malls.
It will culminate on Saturday, Jan. 25, the first day of the Year of the Rat.
A festive symphony of lights accompanied by dances performed by students marked the opening celebration of the Chinese New Year at Gaston Park Monday afternoon.
Eileen San Juan, Cagayan de Oro chief promotions officer, said many more events like cosplay, dances and lectures about local Filipino Chinese history will be held at city’s shopping malls throughout the week.
San Juan said the Bell Church Cagayan de Oro chapter will lead the celebration on New Year’s event in their temple in Barangay Macasandig on Friday.
She said the New Year will be greeted with a festive fireworks display in the Bell Church temple.
San Juan said the local government of Cagayan de Oro supported the local Filipino Chinese community celebrate the New Year in recognition for their contribution to the city.
Mayor Oscar Moreno said despite the threats of bombings and wars in Mindanao, the local Filipino Chinese community stayed on and did not transfer to safer cities elsewhere.
“I see this as their firm commitment that they see Cagayan de Oro as their home and a good place to do business,” Moreno said. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)
