Quezon City promotes Chinatown in 3-day celebration

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government will host a three-day Lunar New Year celebration this weekend as part of efforts to promote the city’s Chinatown district in Banawe.

“These festivities signify our commitment to promoting Banawe as a place to enjoy our unique Filipino-Chinese heritage through a variety of cultural attractions. Local and foreign tourists can take part in many delightful activities during the three-day celebration,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

In 2015, the Quezon City government passed an ordinance declaring Banawe Street and its environs as a Chinatown district. With an area of 5,919 square kilometers, the local government said the Quezon City Chinatown is the largest in the world.

As part of the Chinese New Year celebrations this year, the city government will hold the QC Chinatown Heritage Tour tomorrow.

Participants, which include media and influencers, will explore landmarks such as the Sheng Lian Temple, the Buddhist Humanitarian Organization headquarters of the Tzu Chi Foundation, the Filipino-Chinese Friendship arcs called “paifangs” and the Wow Toy Museum.

The heritage tour, to be led by Chinese tour guide Stanley Chi, will also include a food crawl to some “hidden culinary gems” in the Chinatown district, the local government said.

Aside from the tour, the city government also organized the three-day QC Chinatown Food, Arts and Crafts fair, which will feature different booths selling Chinese delicacies, lucky charms and unique artisanal products.

On Feb. 10, a Lion and Dragon Dance will visit stores around the area, to be followed by the Chinatown float parade and Chinese calligraphy and painting demonstration.

The event will be held in partnership with the QC Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc., the QC Chinatown Development Foundation Inc. and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc.

The city’s Lunar New Year celebration will culminate with the first-ever Chinatown Heritage Bike Tour on Sunday.