Chinese new year is just around the corner this year which will happen on January 22, 2023, it is based on the Lunar Calendar. In China, this event is a month-long celebration and is the biggest celebration of the year. The 2023 Chinese Zodiac of the year is the Rabbit.
Meanwhile, The Cagayan de Oro City Local Government and the Filipino-Chinese community of the city will be celebrating a week-long festivities starting on January 16 to 22, 2023.
Here are the schedules for the events:
January 16
Chinese New Year Festival Launching – Limketkai Center Rotunda – 3 PM
Chinese New Year Food Festival Opening – Limketkai Center – 4 PM
January 17
Chinese New Year Lion Dance – City Hall – 8 AM & Plaza Divisoria – 9:30 AM
Guided Tour of Bell Church – 2 PM
Chinese Dragon Dance – Gaston Park -6:30PM
January 18
Chinese New Year Dragon Dance – Osmeña St. – 8 AM
Guided Tour of Bell Church – 2 PM
Chinese Dragon Dance – Gaston Park -6:30PM
January 19
Chinese New Year Dragon Dance – Yacapin, Osmeña, Guillermo, Ramonal St. – 8 AM
Guided Tour of Bell Church – 2 PM
Chinese Dragon Dance – Gaston Park -6:30PM
January 20
Chinese New Year Festival Lighting of the Lantern – Gaston Park & City Hall – 5 PM
Dragonboat Welcome Dinner (Mayors Cup) – City Hall – 6 PM
Chinese Dragon Dance – Gaston Park -6:30PM
January 21
Mayor Cup Spring Festival Dragonboat Race – Isla de Oro – 7 AM
Chinese Dragon Dance – City Hall – 7:30 PM
Chinese New Year Festival Fireworks – Bell Church – 11 PM
January 22
Mayor Cup Spring Festival Dragonboat Race – Isla de Oro – 7 AM
Chinese New Year Festival Motorcade – Rotunda & Bell Church
Dragonboat Awarding Fellowship Night – 6 PM
Bell Church Guided Tour – Open to Public
The local government of CDO has partnered with the Filipino-Chinese community to open the iconic Bell Church to the public to reignite local tourism and learn local history.
In an interview Tuesday, John Asuncion, head of Trade and Investments Promotions Center (TIPC), said Bell Church is a universal church established by the Chinese in the city, symbolizing reverence to various religious denominations: Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.
“We are given the opportunity to showcase the unique Filipino-Chinese culture we have grown up with and share to the greater public the beautiful influences that have molded us into who we are now as an individual and as a community,” Asuncion said.
The opening of the Bell Church to the public is part of the weeklong celebration of the Chinese New Year.
Asuncion, who is also the chairperson of the Chinese New Year Festival Committee, said the tour will run from Jan. 17 to 19 to give Kagay-anons the opportunity to understand the culture and tradition of the Bell Church, as well as the significance.
The Bell Church started its roots in the religious group founded by Ng Pee in 1954 in Baguio City. The Bell Church in Cagayan de Oro was constructed in 1989.
During the devastation of Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) in 2011, Asuncion said the church was flooded but the statues of saints on the altar, as well as the holy water contained in the glass, were not destroyed. Info about Bell Church source from PNA.
