Chinese New Year in Banawe

Two years after the global pandemic, the traditional big and festive Banawe Chinese New Year celebration of Quezon City shall return on Sunday, January 22, at Banawe Street corner Quezon Avenue and corner Florentino Street.

There will be exciting, diverse food stalls and souvenir shops. The public, especially families are welcome. 

The main program proper shall start at 4 pm as led by special guest China Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission & Minister Counselor Zhou Zhiyong who will deliver the keynote speech.

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte will give the welcome remarks.

Other speakers include Vice-Mayor Gian Marco, District 1 Congressman and actor Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, District 4 Congressman Marvin Rillo, QC Association of Filipino Chinese Businessmen, Inc. President Joaquin Co and QC Chinatown Development Foundation, Inc. Chairman Charles Chen.

Congressman Atayde has extended full support for the celebration, seeking out good friend Enchong Dee as event host, singer/artist Katrina Velarde and singer/actor Gian Magdangal as performers. 

Other performers include the Philippine Kong Han Athletic Club Lion Dancers, Philippine Cultural Chinese 20-piece Orchestra, Chinese Cultural Dance Group and Philippine Institute of QC Children’s Glee Club.

Singers Shiloh and Shawn Tan will render solo performances, while the Philippine Wushu Colleges and Clubs Association will conduct a Wushu martial arts exhibition. Feng Shui Master Rev. Fr. Wong Seng Tian will also give his Chinese New Year of the Rabbit predictions. 

Mayor Belmonte said the Quezon City government had earlier passed City Ordinance No. 2453-2015 formally designating the QC Chinatown in Banawe Street as one of its tourism districts, thus improving its accessibility, environmental sustainability and enhancing its infrastructures and amenities. 

Mayor Belmonte said the city government has other new plans to promote this vibrant QC Chinatown which today already has popular Chinese restaurants and also known as the country’s car accessories and services center.

Mayor Belmonte said the city government gives high importance to the annual Chinese New Year celebration in recognition of the significant socio-economic, civic and cultural contributions of the Filipino Chinese community to QC progress and to national development. 

At the Quezon City Hall presscon, FFCCCII Public Information Committee Chairman Wilson Lee Flores conveyed the strong support of Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) led by President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong to Quezon City’s annual Chinese New Year celebration, its contribution to Philippine tourism and economic revival in this post-pandemic period. 

Himself a QC resident and owner of the city’s pioneer 84-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe, Flores added that FFCCCII President Dr. Lim and FFCCCII Chairman Emeritus Dr. Lucio Tan are both also long-time residents of Quezon City.

Flores also said many entrepreneurs admire the enlightened, pro-people leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte and he congratulated her for QC’s impressive 153 awards last year.