THE celebrations in connection with the Chinese New Year leading up to the 430th anniversary of the Manila Chinatown is far from over.
On February 24, the Chinese-Filipino communties in this country will be celebrating the ‘Lantern Festival.’
The occasion is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar.
The ‘Year of the Wood Dragon’ began on February 10 after it was ushered in via a grand celebration held at midnight of February 9, where thousands participated and converged on Jones Bridge to see the spectacular 12-minute musical, fireworks display held at the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Bridge.
As in Chinese New Year, the festival is not only celebrated by lion and dragon dances, parades and fireworks.
Eating sweet, sticky rice balls called ‘Tangyuan’ or ‘Yuanxiao,’ which are filled with bean, fruits or nuts is also being traditionally observed. The rice balls represent the full moon and unity as well. It is also marked
Apart from being symbols of fortune and good luck, Chinese lanterns are lighted in the belief that they would drive out darkness and bring hope to a new year.
The Lantern Festival celebration is a Chinese tradition that gained popularity during China’s Han Dynasty some 2,000 years ago. To date, it is a holiday being celebrated in China and other Asian countries.
Marked by lantern-making participated in by children and a cultural show at the Chinese Garden in Rizal Park, the celebration of the Lantern Festival here in the Philippines holds a very special meaning not only for the Chinese-Filipinos but for the entire country as well.
A holiday which primarily marks the first full moon of the new lunar year, the Lantern Festival, more importantly, aims to promote reconciliation, peace and forgiveness.
The festival symbolizes unity, a good start to move forward together as one, considering the state of divisiveness our country is in right now.
Political bickerings have always been a problem in our country. It keeps us from moving forward, to the point that we have lagged behind other countries who used to be less progressive than ours.
Chinese-Filipinos do hope and pray that the meaning of the Lantern Festival resonates in the hearts and minds of our country’s leaders.
There is a dire need for our leaders to act as one if we really want our country to progress.
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