Tsinoys appreciate historical ties
Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 director Edwin Trompeta said the Filipino-Chinese community here has recognized the significance of the Chinese New Year celebration in the culture and historical ties of the Chinese and Filipinos.
The tourism department extended financial help to the Iloilo Chinese-Filipino Cultural Association to finance the activity and hone it to become one of the tourism events in the city other than Dinagyang festival.
In yesterday’s press conference with the Iloilo Chinese-Filipino Cultural Association, Trompeta refused to say how much will be the financial help they would give for the celebration of Chinese New Year. The amount is insignificant in pursuit of a colorful celebration, he said.
Trompeta said the celebration is not only relevant in the economic aspect but on knowing one’s culture. It became a significant celebration for families more than the gains in the tourism market, he said.
He said there is a tourism market in relation to the Chinese New Year celebration as there are available flights from Aklan to China and vice versa.
The availability of the international flights in Kalibo would provide tourists an easy gateway to China and Iloilo.
He hopes that the same Chinese New Year celebrations will be made in other parts of Western Visayas such as Roxas City. The Filipino- Chinese community in Bacolod has also their way of celebrating the Chinese New Year which is different from Iloilo City, said Trompeta.
Trompeta added that he was already familiar on the way the Chinese celebrates the New Year when he had visited Beijing, China. I am not already an alien with the manner they hold it since it is also something that is done here all the time.
The Filipino-Chinese community here will celebrate the Chinese New Year on its 8th year through songs and dances in the year of the metallic tiger.
