Events:

Happily Hopping For Prosperity

By Pepin

It’s the year of the Metal Rabbit and the Filipino-Chinese communities from all over the country believe that this will be a great year for business opportunities and economic recovery.

Yesterday, the city of Iloilo successfully celebrated the Chinese New Year with an expectation that this will be a year of peace and greater success. It started with a foot parade from Museo Iloilo going to dalan Ladesma, where a stage has been set. Spectators gather on the sidewalks to witness the graceful dance presentations of students from various schools in the city that cater Chinese Education. There were also Dragon and Lion dances that people were eager to see in the parade. Firecrackers sounded with a big bang all over the place to drive out bad luck.

A cultural show started at almost six in the evening. The Ilonggos had a chance to experience the culture of China through song numbers and more colorful dances rendered by the students, as well as members of the different Filipino-Chinese organizations in the city. The sky was once again filled with pompom-like fireworks as the program came to conclusion.

For the Ilonggos, whether with Chinese blood or not, this celebration of the Chinese New Year signifies a new beginning and a new hope. There are those who have surrendered their vices to live a healthy life, while there are some who are ready to start a new career this 2011. The story of the twelve animals in the Chinese calendar and their representations has long been considered as a handbook by many people to help them fulfil their dreams. The charms and gems that promise luck and fortune were also patronized by many, especially those who are doing business.

But then again, fate cannot fully be determined by the Chinese symbols and ornaments. It is still a person’s choice on how he will live his life that will decide what he will be in the future. The Chinese New Year itself is just a reminder that everybody has a year to make their lives better and work hard that everything will fall in the right place.