Pinoys are familiar with the lion and dragon dances.
We often see these during happy occasions in Binondo, among others.
Originally from China, the lion and dragon dances are usually performed to attract good fortune and happiness.
No doubt, we will see more of these performances as we welcome the Year of the Wooden Snake.
Joining in on the fun is Greenhills Mall, which is hosting the country’s first-ever Lion Dance Competition in partnership with Pawchester and Huang Lion & Dragon Dance Group.
To be held at the at the mall’s East Wing Atrium on January 19 at 10am, the competition will feature 10 competing teams.
Asked about their main goal in organizing the contest, Maine Uy, CEO of Pawchester, shared, “We aim to showcase the Chinese- Filipino heritage and celebrate culture in a meaningful way. At the same time, gusto namin pakita na very talented ang mga Pinoy and Chinoy. We are actually hoping to make this a yearly occasion, so we can continue bringing the community closer.”
Gaius Uy, owner of Huang Lion & Dragon Dance Group, urged mallgoers to participate in the merrymaking, noting, “The lion dance is symbolic because the drum beat during the performance is meant to ward off bad luck. The more noise we make, we welcome more good luck into our lives.”
The Lion Dance Competition will have five categories: Snake, Centipede, Bridge, Drunken and Scorpion.
The champions will go home 100,000 pesos richer.
Subsequently, the first runner-up will receive 80,000 pesos and the second runner-up will receive 50,000 pesos.
Said Gaius, “Since the lion and dragon dances are about spreading good fortune and prosperity, we thought that a cash prize will be the best prize talaga. It’s also to encourage the different teams to continue the craft!”
