Friday
Chinese community welcomes Year of the Horse with fireworks, dragon dances
A countdown, fireworks, and lion and dragon dances highlighted the Filipino Chinese community's welcome for the Year of the Horse on Thursday night and Friday morning.
On Thursday night, dragon and lion dances were held in the city's Binondo and Escolta areas, radio dzBB reported.
The celebration continued early Friday with firecrackers being lighted, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported.
Many Filipino Chinese also visited temples to offer prayers seeking good luck for the year ahead.
Some still bought round fruits and tikoy, which they believe will bring good luck and family togetherness.
Aquino greets Tsinoys
Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III sought a deeper partnership with the Filipino Chinese community in nation building in the new year.
In his message to the Filipino Chinese community, Aquino relayed his wishes that the festivities inspire them to expand their circles of goodwill within and beyond their community.
"Let your proud heritage energize your already dynamic bloc, that you may deepen your partnerships with our fellowmen in forging an even more equitably progressive Philippines. May today’s festivities reinforce your bond with your families and inspire you to expand the circles of goodwill within and beyond your community," he said.
Aquino, in his message, also upheld the solidarity between Filipinos and Filipino Chinese, saying the nation finds strength in diversity.
"Our nation finds strength in our diversity: finding common ground in our citizens’ shared aspirations and heading towards our goals through unity, mutual respect, and positive engagement. May we uphold our solidarity, as we clear our people’s path to resurgence and realize the next chapters of our revitalization," he said. — LBG, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com