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Young performers delight the crowd with their dance
talents in celebration of the 2018 Chinese New Year which took place on the
grounds of the People’s Palace in Cotabato City. (City Government of Cotabato)
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COTABATO CITY - The
city government of Cotabato together with the ever supportive and active
Chinese community welcomed the Year of the Earth Dog with a vibrant and
exciting whole day festivity last February 16 which took place at the People's
Palace grounds.
The celebration kicked off with a culinary arts showdown where 10 lucky
pair contenders prepared and served mouth-watering Chinese dishes before the
distinct set of judges.
Adjudged as winners were Lizabeth Uka and Jonhson Balagat who
successfully delivered their own version of an authetic Chinese cuisine.
Landing in the second and third spots were Joshua Paran and Jerson Abelarde,
and Rommel Avillar and Rohamiah Ibrahim. The top 3 winning pairs and the rest
of the participating amateur homecooks went home delighted with cash prizes and
special gifts.
Hours before the lunar new year, talents of both Cotabateños and Chinese
friends were highlighted during the afternoon program. Students coming from
different academic institutions have graced the audience with their golden
voices and pair of dancing shoes. People have also become more excited during
the traditional lion dance while an electric fountain exhibition happened.
This festivity prepared by the city government is a simple way of
recognizing the contributions of the Chinese community in our humble town. In
fact, days before this celebration, a team of Chinese Investors coming from
China Engineering Construction (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. had pledged their commitment
to pour in billions worth of infrastucture to further develop Cotabato City.
This would surely help uplift the lives of the indigent members in the
community by opening more job opportunities.
On a message delivered by City Grocers Association president Mr. Oscar
Tan-Abing, Sr and Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president
Atty. Eugenio Soyao, Sr., they both expressed that the Chinese community, in
return, expressed nothing but only their sincerest and utmost gratitude to the
local government for acknowledging the things they do to help improve the lives
of their fellow Cotabateños. They have also been delighted to see the
importance given to the preservation of the Chinese culture.
Likewise, City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, being a
Chinese descent, was pleased to see the harmonious co-existence among her
people. She was also confident and optimistic that the year 2018 will be much
vibrant and progressive year for Cotabato City.
Proud and happy, she flaunted the recent achievements of the city and
the upcoming big projects the people will be expecting. In view of this, she
asked her people "support and cooperation of everyone so as to ensure the
fulfillment of the vision for a peaceful, safe, vibrant, and progressive Cotabato
City."
The celebration ended by flying off balloons and lanterns as a symbol of
fresh start and new opportunities. (CITY
GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO
- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)
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