Eye Opener
By Rodolfo P. Gumabong

The day the city traffic closed

Why was the city's traffic closed on a short notice given to the drivers and commuters during the Chinese New Year celebration? This was asked by a bystander during a Chinese parade at Calle Real Tuesday noon . It's the Chinese New Year celebration and a parade and street dancing befitting a celebration, hence the closing of streets from Iznart-Yulo up to Plaza Libertad , Rizal and Iznart .

The Chinese parade was colorful and exotic. The participants from Sun Yat Sen High School (SYSHS) and Iloilo Chinese Commercial High School (ICCHS) donned multi-colored clothes and Latin-American flamingo attires. The giant dragons exhibited by male Chinese participants enthused the spectators that lined alongside J.M. Basa to Iznart Streets, now renamed Dr. Fermin Caram , Sr.Avenue .

Two of the city's leading Chinese schools prepared some presentations that made the affair meaningful. The group from Sun Yat Sen commenced from Mapa Street to Aldeguer and winded up at Iznart near Plazoleta Gay. Foreign cameramen had a heyday shooting their cameras to exotic ala Brazilian-Cuban dancers as they gracefully danced to the tune of Latin music.

While the SYSHS group marched gaily and graciously with drums, bugles, and multi-colored costumes at the intersection of Iznart and Aldeguer Streets, the group from ICCHS waited for their turn to join their fellow revelers. Meanwhile, valley of firecrackers zoomed and exploded in mid-air and women bystanders shouted and sought cover to escape the deafening sound.

The ICCHS displayed dances with jovial “ damas y caballeros” dancing to the tune of Chinese music. The gargantuan dragon fought graciously the boys and girls who shouted and yelled on top of their voices. The pretty and make-up painted lasses displayed their expertise in street dancing. Faculty members of both Chinese schools swung their bodies to the tune of Latin-American music. The activities during the Chinese New Year celebration Tuesday afternoon were televised and home viewers had a chance to appreciate Chinese culture and tradition.

In the evening, noise barrage rang the air and firecrackers brightened the skyline as various fanfares like Chinese dances, vaudeville, exhibition games, stage drama, Chinese love songs and other exciting Chinese numbers put the crowd at suspense and ecstasy. The crowd enjoyed the Chinese presentations, as they were unique and novel.

The 2005 year of the Rooster is believed by many Chinese as scratching labor and endurance towards abundance in lifestyle and wealth. When roasters crow early morning, many Chinese fanatics, we were told, wake up and say their ardent prayers to their gods for good health and abundant life.

Yes, traffic was closed whole afternoon of Tuesday for a well-meaning Chinese celebration. Traffic was even closed during the Centennial Parade of Central Philippine University last January and the Dinagyang festivities January 22-23.