year’s celebration is the showing of the Quanzhou string puppetry on Feb. 10-11. They will perform five stories in eight shows at the West Visayas State University cultural center.
“These are not small puppets but are life-size puppets. It’s very exciting because it is the first time for Iloilo to host, and this is for free, sponsored by our counterpart in China through our sister city,” Tan said in a media interview, noting that the group already visited over 50 countries and performed during the opening of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.
While other events prepared during the entire celebration of the Chinese New Year include the Photo Exhibit on Feb. 6 at SM City Iloilo, Grand Parade from Iloilo Provincial Capitol to Iloilo Chinatown on Feb. 9, and the Chinese New Year Mall Show by Iloilo Scholastic Academy, Hua Siong College of Iloilo, and Sun Yat Sen High School Iloilo at SM City Iloilo.
There will also be a grand cultural show, food festival, and fireworks display on Feb. 9 at the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc at the Plazoleta Gay on Iznart Street.
The Chinese New Year festivity in Iloilo City, according to Chan, is considered as the biggest celebration being held outside Metro Manila. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)