Dagupan celebrates Chinese New Year in high spirit
IN high spirits over Dagupan’s anticipated economic surge and transformation this year, Mayor Belen Fernandez led the city’s Filipino-Chinese community on January 28 in welcoming the Year of the Wooden Snake in the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
The occasion was marked with a colorful motorcade along the central business district, which culminated at the city plaza where a grand display of Chinese customs, culture and traditions, was held, topped by the spectacular performance of the Dagupan Panda Lion Dragon Wushu Team, and a food bazaar was set up for the distribution of free food to everyone.
Unperturbed by the reported kidnapping of a Filipino-Chinese businessman in Dagupan the previous week, who was subsequently rescued after a couple of days, the city’s Filipino-Chinese population turned out en masse to welcome the New Year, which kicked off with Dragon and Lion dances in the streets.
A motorcade showcasing members of the Filipino-Chinese community, many garbed in traditional Chinese attire, was also held. Students of the Pangasinan Universal Institute distributed pastries, cakes, and candies to children who trooped at the city plaza.
The city plaza was virtually turned into a little Chinese paria, adorned with Chinese colors and designs in mostly red and orange, reflecting the unity in aspiration and spirit of the whole Filipino-Chinese community in Dagupan.
The mayor, whose family belongs to the Filipino-Chinese community, delivered a message saying the Wooden Snake in the Chinese Lunar Calendar signifies transformation and evolution, which brings growth, hope, and good fortunes, which jibes with the ‘Unliserbisyo’ theme of her administration.
She encouraged residents to stay positive because this year has more things to offer to the city, citing the approval of the 2025 budget on time last year, allowing the city government to immediately roll out its program and projects.
The celebration was co-sponsored by the Filipino-Chinese Amity Club-Dagupan chapter, the Dagupan Filipino-Chinese Musical Association, Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Panda Fire Brigade, Inc., Pangasinan Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Divine World Academy of Dagupan, Oakridge International School and Pangasinan Universal Institute.
Visibly absent from the festivities were the Lim family (Celia, Brian and Irene), also members of the Filipino-Chinese business community in Dagupan. (Leonardo Micua)
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