MANILA — Two major events will highlight the celebration of Chinese New Year in Manila this week.
According to Naida Angping, chairman of the Chinatown Development Council, the highlights of the annual festivity would be the countdown with extravagant fireworks display and grand parade to be held on Thursday and Friday, respectively in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila.
“We will have a countdown to welcome the Chinese New Year on February 15 and the grand parade on February 16,” she said in a phone interview.
The countdown, to be held along Reina Regente St. in front of the Lucky Chinatown Mall will start at 11 p.m..
The major road will be closed to traffic in preparation for the activities.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua; Domingo Yap, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., and Andrew Tan of Megaworld will lead the pressing of the button of the two cannons to signal the fireworks display.
On the other hand, the grand parade will be held at the Binondo Plaza at 1 p.m., Friday, Chinese New Year.
Aside from Estrada, Angping, other local government, Chinese federations and Chinese embassy officials are expected attend the parade.
On the other hand, the police have been ordered to maintain their heightened alert status for the upcoming grand celebration. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
