Capiz celebrated its first grand Chinese New Year celebration.
For Governor Fredenil “Oto” Castro, welcoming the Year of the Dragon was high time for a grand
celebration to recognize the contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community to the growth and
development of the province.
The Lunar New Year celebration in Capiz with the theme “Harmony Across Horizons: A Filipino-Chinese
Brotherhood in Celebration” was institutionalized by Provincial Ordinance No. 365 authored by Vice
Governor James “Mitang” Magbanua.
With an ordinance, the Capiz Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (Capiz PTAO) worked with
various Chinese-Filipino organizations for the eight-day festivities in the capital of Roxas City that ended
last February 11.
The Roxas City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc., the Capiz Halaran Chamber of Commerce
and Industry Inc., and the Capiz Commercial School are among the organizations that worked with Capiz
PTAO headed by Alphonsus Tesoro for the various activities.
One of the key activities was the releasing of more than 300 floating lotus lanterns along the Panay River
last February 9. This was symbolic of the Chinese tradition of bringing good luck for the New Year while
warding off bad luck or major problems.
Other activities included a food festival along Roxas Avenue; a New Year parade; a lion and dance
performances; music and cultural performances; and a live band.
Joining Governor Castro and Vice Governor Magbanua were Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas as well as
Capiz Provincial Board Members Jonathan Besa, Thea Faith Reyes, Trina Ignacio, Elmer Arevalo, Jose
Fulgencio Del Rosario, Cecilio Fecundo, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President Prince Rovic
Gardose, Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) President Nico Yap, and various leaders of the Filipino-Chinese
community.
