Mayor Benjamin Magalong has recognized the Filipino-Chinese community for steadfastly standing by the city through thick and thin and which it could always be relied on in good times and bad.
During the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) launching Monday at the Baguio City Hall grounds conducted by the city government and the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community, the mayor thanked the Chinoys for unselfishly contributing their time, talent, and treasure in achieving a better Baguio and a better life for everyone.
He added that the Baguio-Filipino Chinese community will be constructing a pagoda and rehabilitating the nursery at the Botanical-Centennial Park.
“May the special relationship with our brothers and sisters of the Filipino-Chinese community continue for many years to come,” Magalong said.
Festival chair Peter Ng said the celebration aims to strengthen the historic cooperation, amity, and unity between the various ethnicities of the city and the Filipino-Chinese community.
Filipino-Chinese artist Chino Chow said since the rat is the first animal in the 12 animal Chinese astrology, 2020 being the Year of the Rat is considered a year of new beginnings and renewals.
This year’s celebration included a media fellowship night last Jan. 16; New Year celebration of Bell Church and gift-giving program on Jan. 25, 1 p.m., at Bell Church grounds.
The grand colorful parade is on Jan. 27 with assembly time at 1 p.m., Upper Session Road while the parade will start at 2:30 p.m. traversing the city’s main thoroughfares and ending at the Melvin Jones Grandstand at Burnham Park.
Capping the celebration is a dinner awards and fellowship night starting 7 p.m. at Hotel Supreme.
The city council passed Ordinance 18, s. 1999, officially recognizing the annual observance and celebration of the Chinese New Year in the City of Baguio. – Gaby Keith
April 24, 2024
