BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas yesterday promised to continue the Public-private partnership (PPP) with the Filipino-Chinese community for a “grander and bigger” Chinese New Year celebration in the coming years.
In his speech during the grand cultural show at the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc on Iznart Street, City Proper, Treñas said the celebration is a testament to a strengthened bond of friendship between the Chinese business and the Ilonggo community.
“It reflects the deep-rooted of our Chinese community that is seamlessly woven into the fabric of Ilonggo life,” said Treñas.
Zhang Zhen, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu, said she was amazed at how the Ilonggo and Chinese community in Iloilo celebrated such grandeur of Chinese New Year.
She said the city government showcases the cultural diversity of Filipino and Chinese traditions.
“I wish Iloilo a bright future and good fortune. This is the City of Love. My heart beats in Iloilo City,” said Zhen.
Zhen said Iloilo has great potential in terms of agriculture, education, green energy, sustainable development, urbanization, and even in tourism industry.
“The potential is great. We have a lot of talents and a high percentage of good and high education. With your open minds and cooperative spirit, I’m sure the potential for cooperation between the local governments from both sides will be great,” said Zhen.
Before the cultural show, Iloilo-Chinese business sector, Chinese schools, and university and law enforcement agencies participated in the grand parade that started at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on Bonifacio Drive and ended on Iznart Street.
A grand cultural show, food festival, and fireworks display at the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc at Plazoleta Gay capped the event.
Also present during the event were Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) chairman Judgee Peña, IFFI president Allan Ryan Tan, Chinese New Year 2024 chairman Roland Uy, the Filipino Chinese Family Associations, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo Inc., and Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay Inc., among others.
Four Chinese-Filipino schools, namely Sun Yat Sen High School of Iloilo, Ateneo de Iloilo, Iloilo Scholastic Academy, and Hua Siong College of Iloilo, performed dragon and lion dances during the grand parade.
In a statement, Treñas said that the celebration themed “Harmony in Blossom: 20 Years of Cultivating Filipino-Chinese Unity” is a manifestation of strong PPP in the city.
“As a yearly tradition, the Ilonggos are joining the whole nation in celebrating the Chinese New Year, especially with the Filipino-Chinese community here in the City of Love. Iloilo City has come a long way as evidenced by its continuous progress and development, and we must acknowledge the selfless contribution of our beloved Ilonggo Tsinoys in the city’s relentless journey towards development,” Treñas stressed.
He added: “It cannot be denied that the public-private partnership that was forged with Ilonggo Tsinoys has grown deeper and bigger, creating a great impact in all our endeavors, especially in achieving our goals.”
Meanwhile, Uy emphasized the big contribution of the Filipino-Chinese community to the city’s overall progress.
“The Filipino-Chinese community has forged an unyielding and sturdy relationship that has contributed a lot to strengthening both cultural and economic development,” said Uy.
“Our celebration will be extra special because there will be a cultural exhibit that will showcase different festivals in China, Chinese New Year Mall shows, food festivals, grand parades, cultural shows, and the Quanzhou String Puppetry that will join us for the first time,” he added./PN
