"I believe that the spring festival (Chinese New Year) celebration
will accelerate the development of the tourism industry and push
forward the other economic sectors in Bacolod City," Cui Luosheng,
Chinese Consul General in Cebu, yesterday said during the opening
BacoLaodiat Festival at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
The opening was preceded by a grand cultural parade participated
in by the Negros Tsinoy and delegations from the various Chinese
schools in the city including the MassKara dancers of Brgy. Alijis,
the Kadang performers, and the Lion and Dragon dancers.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Cui presented each other
tokens during the program.
In his speech, Cui said the fact that the Chinese communities
have annual celebrations of the spring festival with the support
from the city government, shows clearly a successful blend of the
two different cultures of China and the Philippines. He said it
adequately reflects the harmony and brotherhood forged by the Chinese
communities and the local people.
Nowadays, China is vigorously implementing the scientific
approach on development to build a harmonious socialist society,
Cui said. Therefore, harmony is apparently more precious than ever
to the development of China and its cooperation with the outside
world, he said.
Cui said "We hope the harmony between the Chinese communities
and the local people of Bacolod will last forever and make more
contributions in promoting the contact between Bacolod and China
and enhancing the friendship between the Philippines and China."
He said the spring festival is most important for the Chinese
nation and is an indispensable component of the traditional Chinese
culture.
During the festival, the atmosphere of happiness and excitement
can be felt here and there, while the ways of celebrating it are
different in different places, he said.
Today this celebration of spring festival has been combined
with the promotion of tourism, Cui said. It presents the harmony
and mixture of both cultures of the two countries and will definitely
become a flash point attracting more public attention, he said.
Negros Tsinoy chairman Luis Chan said racial disparity is
not a hindrance to pursue success. He said the Chinese have proven
that they are a great help to the community with their contributions
in the filed of education, business and other services.
"We should forget individual differences and work together
for the common good for ourselves and for the future generations,"
Chan said.
Other city officials present at the opening of the BacoLaodiat
Festival were Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, Councilors Al Victor Espino,
Dindo Ramos, Homer Bais, Jude Thaddeus Sayson and Greg Gasataya.
This afternoon elementary and high schools drum and bugle
corps will compete for the 2nd Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia Marching
Bands in Rhythm Competition at the Bacolod Public Plaza at part
of the Baccolaodiat celebration.
A cheer dance competition will also be held at the plaza 9
a.m. Sunday*CGS
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