Banawe to lead Chinese New Year celebration in QC

The Quezon City government is all set for its Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration that will be held at the corner of P. Florentino and Banawe Avenues (QC Chinatown) on Jan. 22, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

“Ito po ay isang tradition ng atin pong lungsod, ang pagdiriwang ng Chinese New Year, bilang pagpapahalaga sa Filipino-Chinese Community dito po sa Lungsod Quezon. Malaking komunidad po ito at nais po namin kilalanin ang kanilang napakaraming kontribyusyon sa kaunlaran po ng ating mahal na lungsod kung kaya’t ito po ay isang pagdiriwang na taun-taon po nating ginagawa (This is a tradition of our city, the celebration of the Chinese New Year, as an appreciation to the Filipino-Chinese Community here in Quezon City. This is a large community and we want to recognize their many contributions to the development of our beloved city, which is why this is a celebration that we do every year),” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

The celebration, which was last held in 2020, will be led by the QC Tourism Department (QCTD) in partnership with the QC Association of Filipino Chinese Businessmen Inc. (QCAFCBI)

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In a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 19, QC Tourism Department head Teresa Tirona said that activities will be held during the event including a Chinatown float parade where candidates of the Mr. and Ms. Chinatown will join, dragon and lion dance, orchestra, sing and dance performances, Wushu exhibition, 2023 prediction from a Feng Shui Chinese Geomancy master, and a fireworks display.

The event will start at 10 a.m. on Sunday where a food bazaar featuring various Filipino and Chinese delicacies from small and medium enterprises will open, while the float parade is expected to begin at around 2 p.m. The program proper for the celebration will start at 4 p.m.

The floats’ route will start on Banawe Avenue going to E. Rodriguez Avenue and will turn right to D.Tuazon. The parade will pass through Sgt. Rivera Street before turning right back to Banawe Street.

Tirona said that the P. Florentino St. will be closed Saturday evening, Jan, 21, to start setting up a stage and tents for the program.

Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China Zhou Zhiyong will be the keynote speaker of the event.

QC Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, District 1 Rep. Arjo Atayde, District 4 Rep. Marvin Rillo, QCAFCBI President Joaquin Co, and QC Chinatown Development Foundation, Inc. Chairman Charles Chen will also deliver inspirational messages during the event, Tirona said.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III assured that the city police will deploy enough police force, patrol cars, motorcycles, and drones for security and safety during the event.

Command posts and closed-circuit televisions will be installed in the area.

“Anywhere in Quezon City, tawag ka lang sa 122 ‘pag kailangan niyo ng pulis, tatlong minuto, nandiyan ang pulis sa tabi niyo, bigay niyo lang address (just call 122 if you need the police, in three minutes, the police will be right next to you, just give the address). That is an assurance dito sa (here in) Quezon City that we can respond to any call,” the police director said.

The mayor said that the Chinese New Year is celebrated in the city to show the Filipino-Chinese community that their contributions to the culture and economy of the city are valued and that they are important part of the community.

Belmonte invited both residents and non-residents to join Quezon City’s Chinese New Year celebration on Sunday.

She also said that since the Covid-19 restrictions have already been eased, celebrations like Pride Month and Earth Day will be “100 percent” held in the city.

Tirona said that Covid-19 health and safety protocols will still be observed during the event.