A grand parade participated by the Filipino-Chinese business and academic community highlighted the weeklong celebration of welcoming the Year of the Water Dragon. The 2012 Chinese New Year officially started last January 23. The city’s celebration of Chinese New Year now on its 10th year is touted as the first and biggest festivity outside of Manila’s Chinatown in Binondo.

Starting last Monday, a myriad of activities such as exhibits, Masses, and cultural presentations dotted the calendar. Filipino-Chinese schools took turns in sponsoring events both in their campuses and in malls here in Iloilo City. The Iloilo Chinese-Filipino Cultural Association (ICFCA) also opened the Chinese Heritage and Heroism Exhibit at the food court hallway of SM City Iloilo in Mandurriao district. Another event, the Filipino-Chinese Trade Expo held at the activity hall of PNB emphasized the relationship of Iloilo City and China.

Truly, Iloilo City is a melting pot of cultures – from the Ati, the religious, from oriental to the Western.

Earlier this afternoon, the culminating event – a grand ethnic and cultural parade had once again gripped the attention of entire Metro Iloilo. The parade was participated by Filipino-Chinese students, faculties, parents, and business leaders.

Influential Filipino leaders such as Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Senator Franklin Drilon also joined in the event.

The parade started in front of Iloilo Capitol in Bonifacio drive, turned left to Iznart, and entered JM Basa. It then turned at Aldeguer Street and went back to Iznart. The parade ended at a stage constructed at Plazoleta right below the newly completed Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arch.

The whole Gov. Fermin Caram Street (part of Iznart) was fully closed and had been transformed into an activity area where the cultural presentation was performed. Near the stage, a food festival was also underway well into the night.

A fireworks display will end the event this evening.

The Ilonggo-Chinese community always serves a dynamic and reliable partner of the City Government in providing business and employment opportunities, classroom building activities, feeding programs, anti-dengue prevention campaign, holiday gift-giving to indigents, assistance to peace and order improvement, maintenance of volunteer fire brigades and assistance during disasters and calamities

Here are the highlights of this afternoon’s parade:

Dragon and Lion Dance

Sun Yat Sen High School of Iloilo

Ateneo De Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School

 Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus

Iloilo Scholastic Academy

Iloilo Central Commercial High School

Bonifacio Drive, in front of Atrium Mall - Iloilo City

Stage constructed at Plazoleta, as if Beijing's Temple of Heaven washed up ashore here in Iloilo City