Cagayan de Oro City Hall announced its 10-day calendar of activities for Chinese New Year 2024 as they invited the public to join in the festivities in solidarity with the local Chinese community.
Speaking in behalf of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy, the mayor’s chief of staff Sheila Lumbatan said during the Friday program ‘Inyong Alagad, Mayor Klarex Uy’ hosted by the City Information Office that the launching will be held on Feb. 8.
A ceremonial lighting will be held at the City Hall Executive Building grounds at 6 p.m, she said. ‘Unlike our New Year celebration where we lined up activities leading up to the culminating activity, with the Chinese they celebrate on the day itself extended by a series of activities afterward….the sight of these colorful Chinese lanterns (will evoke that feeling of celebration among Pinoys)’ Lumbatan said in Visayan.
She credited the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office and the Oro Trade Investments Promotions Center (Oro-TIPC) for spearheading preparations for the Chinese New Year calendar of activities. ‘After the ceremonial lighting this will be followed by a Chinese bazaar at Duaw Park on 7 pm,’ Lumbatan said.
She said they are still negotiating with the participating Chinese restaurants in the bazaar who will display their food during the event so they can offer their food to the public for free.
Lion dances by participating contingents will also be staged periodically at selected venues from Dec. 12 to 17, Lumbatan said. ‘On Feb. 9, the opening ceremony will be marked by a fireworks display at the Rio de Oro Boulevard,’ Lumbatan said.
The 10-day celebration ends with a Dragon Boat Race at Isla de Oro on Dec. 18 and the awarding ceremony at SM Uptown mall at 6 pm, she said.
News and photo courtesy of CIO CDO