Chinese New Year Celebration in Quezon City’s Chinatown

Big celebration were held at the intersection of Banawe street corner Calamba street which highlighted the countdown to the Chinese New Year 2020 celebrations in Quezon City.

Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alumurung together with PROC Ambassador Huang Xi Lian, councilors and federation officers.

This was held last January 26 Sunday from 3:00 pm till past 8:00 pm where fireworks display and a concert was held.

Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc (FFCCCII) members, Quezon City Association of Filipino Chinese Businessmen Inc. ( QCAFCBI), Quezon City Chinatown Development Foundation (QCCDF)

Mr. Joseph Lim Bon Huan waves his hand ( President , QC Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc.) before the parade started

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Special guests includes Chinese ambassador Huang Xi Lian of People’s Republic of China, Quezon City councilors, barangay officials from different districts, Filipino Chinese

Quezon City’s councilors

Quezon City Association of Filipino Chinese Businessmen Inc. ( QCAFCBI) officers and PROC Ambassador His Excellency Huang Xi Lian

group photo

Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alimurung along with Quezon City’s Barangay officials and well wishers

program emcees Ms. Candice Tan and  Mr. Giru Mercado

 Quezon City Association of Filipino Chinese Businessmen Inc. members

Before the program started, Mr. Vince Gordovez of Quezon City Tourism office had a short trivia contest were lucky participant won tikoy and charms.

Mr. Wilson Lee -Flores of Kamuning Bakery

lion dance performed by jing Shen Wushu Dragon and Lion Dance Group

Shou La Mien and Fruitas stall

The event had about 20 stalls selling different kinds of street foods, noodles, hopia, tikoy, cookies, moon cakes, milk teas, pork barbecue, rice, snacks, hand pulled noodles among others.

Doña Maria Rice Puff being sold for Php 35 per pack

cultural dance

Cultural dances were performed by students and alumni of Philippine Cultural College Dance group, Philippine Cultural College Alumni Association and Philippine Institute of Quezon City.

Among the cultural dances came from Uyghurs and Tibetan group performed by the two Filipino-Chinese school based in the city.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aeTs6mx4SZ8VYCQE7

Rev. Father Wong Seng Tian gave a general predictions for the metal rat

The evening also capped a presentation of musical rendition performed by Ms. Maria Teresa Tirona and a representative from Filipino-Chinese association “Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin” or ” The Moon Represents My Heart ” which is a popular love song by Filipino-Chinese and Chinese all over the world. First sang by Ms. Teresa Tang.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tYkymcrxP7NFKpZm8

live concert

fireworks display

jam packed place

The crowd seems very happy and elated with all the freebies and happening within Chinatown Quezon City.

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12 Important Activities at the Chinese New Year 2020 Celebration in Quezon City

Quezon City government in joint cooperation with Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc (FFCCCII), Quezon City Association of Filipino Chinese Businessmen Inc. ( QCAFCBI), Quezon City Chinatown Development Foundation (QCCDF) will usher in the ” Year of the Metal Rat” on January 26, 2020 Sunday.

Chinatown -Quezon City Welcome arch

Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong ( president) Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. ( FFCCCII) together with Mr. Wilson Lee -Flores ( moderator/ columnist ,publicity and promotion chairperson for FFCCCII)

Quezon City Chinatown Development Foundation ( QCCDF) and Quezon City Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc. ( QCAFCBI).

12 Important Activities at the Chinese New Year 2020 Celebrations

Banawe corner Quezon Avenue in Quezon City

12.) Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alimurung,Vice Mayor Gian Sotto together with Chinese ambassador -People Republic of China ( PRC), His Excellency Huang Xi Lian will be the special guests of honor. They will also lead the countdown and celebrations.

Banawe street

11.) Traditional lion and dragon dance performances within Banawe and adjacent streets.

10.) Grand Parade and motorcade will be held in Banawe and within Quezon City’s -Chinatown district on January 26, 2020 Sunday which starts at 3:00 pm.

registration

9.) Chinese music and arts performances by Filipino- Chinese schools based in the city.

Quezon City Symphonic Band

8.) Quezon City’s Symphonic Band will perform various musical rendition.

7.) Wushu and Martial Arts exhibition will be held to highlight the rich Filipino-Chinese culture.

6.) Chinese lanterns will light up major streets in the district.

5.) Filipino-Chinese deli food and trade bazaar will be held.

4.) Traditional Chinese cooking demonstration will be held to highlight the rich culinary heritage.

3.) Grand Concert of the Climax Band and Rico Blanco will cap the celebrations.

2.) Fireworks display will light up the Chinatown district at the end of the program.

1.) Reknown Feng Shui Master Reverend Father Wong Seng Tian will give his predictions for the Chinese New Year 2020.

In 2013, Quezon City’s government installed two Chinatown arches at Banawe street corner Quezon Avenue, designating the area as ” Chinatown of Quezon City” and branding it as a world- class hub for the Filipino- Chinese community.

Furthermore, the government passed City Ordinance 2453-2015, formally designating the QC Chinatown in Banawe street as one of the tourism districts, thus improving its accessibility, ensuring environmental sustainability and enhancing its infrastructure  and other amenities.

Special Guest Mayor Joy Belmonte at 73rd Mid-Year Orchid Show

Honorable Josefina “Joy” Belmonte -Alimurung together with Honorable Candy Medina- Atienza (councilor 6th district), Assistant administrator Attorney Lord, Engineer Zaldy Dela Rosa, Quezon Memorial Circle administration staff, affiliated plant societies, invited guests, media, social media bloggers and Philippine Orchid Society members, were treated to a grand ribbon cutting, a tour of the exhibit area and opening of the 73rd mid- year orchid and festival 2019.

Engineer Zaldy Dela Rosa shakes hand with Mayor Joy Belmonte- Alimurung ( photo courtesy of Quezon City press corp)

73rd Mid -Year Philippine Orchid Festival 2019

l-r Mr. Norberto Bautista, Engineer Zaldy Dela Rosa, Honorable Candy Medina- Atienza and Mrs. Susan Lee ( photo courtesy of Hon. Candy Medina -Atienza)

blooming phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids were given to the guests of honor

Opening was held late afternoon past 4:00 pm within Hardin ng Bulaklak ( HB/ Garden of Joy/ Flower Garden) the exhibits highlighted the blooming of several varieties of waling-waling  or Vanda/ Euanthe sanderiana which is the highlight of the festival.

several varieties of Waling- waling on display at the show

 Vanda sanderiana / Euanthe sanderiana locally known as Waling-waling

It is good that there were some blooming Waling-waling during this time of the year since rainy season started a little bit late.

table judging of Cymbidium chloranthum and cattleya hybrids

It is also good that table judging for flowering orchids were introduce during this show. This will enable orchid hobbyists and the general public to appreciate the orchid competition winners up close. Most international orchid shows normally present their orchids that way.

strap leaf vandas with red and white ribbon can trace their parentage to Vanda sanderiana and Vanda coerulea.

The mayor also delighted the crowd with her three good news which were delivered during her speech after the ribbon cutting ceremonies held within Quezon City Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

carnivorous plants for sale at the commercial stall ( photo courtesy of Dr. Tan)

Commercial Booths and Daily Activities

schedule of daily talks

62 commercial booths selling different kinds of plants, carnivorous plants, orchid hybrids, ornamental plants, pots, fertilizers, native orchids, ferns, fruit trees, cacti and succulents, flowering annuals, variegated ornamental plants among others.

 Pagsolingan’s Garden with Rare & Exotic Plants (courtesy of Dr. Roland Salazar )

Rare and Exotic Plants – Dr. Roland Salazar

Address: 106 Mindanao Avenue Garden Center,Mindanao Avenue , Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City

There will be daily lectures or talks starting today at 2:00 pm at the pavilion area within the exhibition site. Entrance fee is Php 50.00 for the general public, Php 30.00 senior citizens, students and person with disabilities with valid identification card.

73rd Philippine Orchid Society’s exhibit, lectures and commercial trade fair will run until September 9, 2019 !