Consul General Shi Yong
The Year of the Earth Dog will run from February 16, 2018 to February 4, 2019.
But last February 8, the Chinese New Year came eight days early for the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu.
Consul General Shi Yong hosted a dinner celebration marked with dragon and lion dances and an elaborate buffet spread of dishes at the Grand Ballroom of the Marco Plaza Cebu.
“We celebrated it earlier because the next days will be a busy period for the Consular Office as Chinese nationals flock to Cebu and Bohol for their vacation,” he told journalists in a sit-down interview after the program.
On the menu that night were vegetable, fish and meat dishes including maki rolls, sashimi, Waldorf salad, 8-hour cooked USDA beef brisket, Hainanese chicken, slow roast baby back ribs with chipotle barbecue sauce, steamed fish fillet with bean curd sauce and vermicelli noodles.
The ubiquitous lechon was also served while red wine overflowed and tea was available upon request.
The dessert station was a plethora of sweet treats of chilled almond jelly with lychee, coffee bun with chocolate sauce, fresh fruits served with black sesame ice cream and Oreo cheese cake with mallows.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important festival celebrated at the turn of the Lunar Chinese Calendar.
It is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for an annual reunion. It is also considered as the largest annual mass human migration in the world.
That night at the Marco Polo ballroom, red was the dominant color — vibrant and fiery — for luck, happiness and joy.
The color represents vitality, fertility and celebration which was the spirit of the festive night which had dance presentations performed by students of the different Chinese schools in Cebu.
With costumes that mirror China’s cultural treasures and long history, the students from Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, Cebu Eastern College, Cebu Cherish School. Cebu Sacred Heart School – Hijas de Jesus and Philippine Christian Gospel School entertained some 400 guests which included foreign dignitaries, government officials and representatives of business chambers.
Colorful Chinese umbrellas, traditionally made of paper or cloth, appeared onstage as students performed the umbrella dance.
The umbrella is a Chinese symbol of honor and wealth.
In a speech, the consul general said 2018 will be a year of “great opportunities in developing the relationship between China and the Philippines.”
He described China as the “Philippines’ steadfast partner” and a “good brother for generations to come.”
Shi called for collective work in opening a new chapter for China-Philippine relations.
Prior to serving Cebu as Chinese Consul General in 2016, Shi was assigned in South Africa, USA (New York) and Israel (Tel Aviv).
“Every posting is different. Cebu is interesting because when I came here, our bilateral relations at that time were not good. I was in a difficult situation,” he recalled.
“But in just one year, it’s hard to imagine how the support of the government agencies, local officials and business community come together to help us out with our goal of improved country-to-country relations,” Shi said.
The program started at 7:30 p.m. and ended a few minutes after 9 p.m.
Fei Zhenzhen of Sacred Heart School – Hijas de Jesus sang an emotional song which evoked feelings of gratitude among the Chinese audience.
As the Year of the Dog enters, Shi wished prosperity and luck for everyone, especially in the growing China-Philippine cooperation.
“Looking ahead, we are fully confident about the prospects of the China-Philippines relations. The Chinese people want to be the Filipinos’ close neighbor and sincere friend helping each other through difficulties,” said Shi.