Iloilo City reschedules Chinese New Year fest

Iloilo City has rescheduled the Chinese New Year celebration to tomorrow because it would have coincided with the Dinagyang Festival, which ended on Sunday.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, however, said this did not deter many Filipino-Chinese groups from frenziedly trying to complete their preparations for the impressive festivities. More Chinese groups pitched in with their participation in the Chinese New Year celebration.

But that, to a certain extent, guarantees that Ilonggos are celebrating a continuous serving of feasts from December to Feb. 2 when the equally impressive Candelaria kicks off in the Jaro district.

The latter is another top drawer of Iloilo. Normally, this yearly affair draws into Iloilo top socialites and prestigious names, including cockfighting aficionados. The Candelaria derby is usually attended by top cock breeders and cockfighting enthusiasts around the country.

And the Candelaria derby brings in big money in millions of pesos. Another major event is the coronation of the Candelaria Queen and her escort, usually from the Iloilo elite.

During the Candelaria, the big names of Iloilo society parade around in their best costume. And they bring out family heirlooms that are displayed conspicuously to the delight of the crowd.

But the topic for the moment is the Chinese New Year festival tomorrow.

Iznart, at the heart of the city, will be the main center of the celebration with the Tsinoy population of Iloilo expected to crowd there together with the Pinoys.

It will be a two-day celebration. On Sunday, Bacolaodiat, the celebration in Bacolod City, drew to a close with the colorful lantern parade and the enthusiastic participation by the Bacolodnons. The affair was capped by a colorful fireworks display at the Bacolod public plaza.

Treñas said the Taiwanese ambassador to the Philippines will be a guest in tomorrow’s event.

Iloilo police officer-in-charge Eugenio Espejo said some 150 cops will be deployed along Iznart street.

Iznart and JM Basa streets will also be closed to traffic starting at 3 p.m. tomorrow to give way to the food festival, the program and the night market.

The grand parade will kick off at 4 p.m. at the Iloilo provincial capitol and end at the Freedom Grandstand where a cultural show will be presented.

Students of Iloilo’s Chinese schools – Iloilo Central Commercial High School, Sun Yat Sen High School, Iloilo Scholastic Academy, Ateneo de Iloilo-Santa Maria Catholic School and the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus – will take part in the cultural show.

There will be lion and dragon dances. A pyrotechnics display will wrap up the celebration.