THE provincial government of Misamis Oriental led by Gov. Juliette Uy and the city government of Cagayan de Oro led by Mayor Rolando Uy led the traditional lunar New Year’s eve festivities earlier tonight.
Lunar new year is the beginning of the lunar calendar which is commonly used by the Chinese.
The Philippines – which has a large diaspora of ethinc Chinese and are now affectionately called Chinese Filipinos – has instituted each lunar new year as a holiday.
Local governments have followed suit and traditionally each year, they have lined up weeklong activities for the celebratory period.
Governor Uy has decided to merge the celebration of Valentines, National Arts Month and lunar new year Monday morning.
During the weekly flag raising February 16, day care students from barangay Barra in Opol town presented Governor Uy with flowers after performing a song presentation.
The governor then accompanied the children nearby at Vicente de Lara park to inaugurate the Unity Kiddie Corner which is basically a toddlers playground complete with cutie rides for the young ones.
Next, Governor Uy inaugurated a weeklong exhibit featuring creations of Misor-based visual artists and craftsmen alike.
The afternoon started early with a performance from selected dragon and lion dancers who showered the governor with their impressive skills before the program continued with a folk dance tilt featuring Capitol employees.
On the other side of the city in barangay Puntod at the entrance of Rio de Oro Boulevard, Mayor Uy opened the Chinese New Year’s eve celebration with performances from Kong Hua School, Oro Christian Grace School and Puntod National High School.
“Bout nakong ipadayag ang akong kinasing-kasing pasalamat sa Cagayan De Oro Filipino- Chinese Community, kun diin ang atong mga higala sa FilChi Community nahimong dakong kabahin sa padayong kalambuan sa atong dakbayan,” Mayor Uy said.
After his speech, the following renditions were executed by the students: Jiangnan’s misty rain, Mongolian horse dance, gentle fragrance of tea, wild goose dance, echoes of the roaring river, dancing flower hats, threads of March, zodiac unity dance, wushu demo and a fashion show of modern Chinese apparel.
The entourage then proceeded to Bell Church in barangay Macasandig to wait for the clock to strike midnight.
The 2026 Year of the Fire Horse has officially begun. CIO/PIO
