Understanding China through the spring fest

Art Tibaldo

BAGUIO CITY -- Chinese New Year which falls on the 26th of January, 2009 is expected to be celebrated with a bigger bang this time around in Baguio. Adapted by the city government as an official festivity, the Chinese Spring Festival is not only celebrated by Asian folks but it has become a multi racial and cultural activity as proven by past Chinese new years in Baguio.

Sportsman and physician Dr. Charles L. Cheng said year 2009 is a very significant year not only for Baguio residents but the Chinese community here as well because they have partly contributed to the growth and development of this former American hill station into a chartered city.

Cheng who is also a member of the Baguio Centennial Commission announced that a series of activities have been lined up to make the celebration a more memorable one. An executive committee was tasked to prepare a week long activities that will include gift sharing to selected a Barangay, medical outreach mission, recognition of outstanding citizens and the grand parade that will happen on the Chinese New Year itself.

The scheduled activities for the Spring Festival celebration will start with a press briefing on January 13 where members of the Chinese community will demonstrate how to make siomai and dumplings.

Cheng enumerated the following activities; On January 19, the Chinese community, led by the Baguio Patriotic High School, will host the weekly flag-raising ceremony and breakfast at the City Hall grounds.

Engineer Richard Cheng will launch his book, "Valley of Peace Ping-on, Ancient to Modern Wisdom Through Family Stories" on January 20 at Hotel Supreme at 2 p.m.
On January 21, 100 recipients selected by the City Social Welfare and Development will receive gifts from the Chinese community and this will be followed by a lecture on the contribution of the Chinese to Baguio and the Cordilleras on January 23, at 1 p.m. at the City Hall's multipurpose hall.

The much anticipated grand parade and display of fireworks will be on January 26 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. The parade will be held at the city's main thoroughfares and the fireworks display will be at the Melvin Jones grounds.

Finally, Cheng urged those interested to be in the Awards-Dinner Night to coordinate with organizers Lilian Baniwas at Tel 445-4498, William Ang at Tel. 442 3521 or Lengleng Cu of the Baguio Patriotic High school at Tel. 442 3349.