Chinese culture to be introduced to young Ilonggos via puppet show

The world-renowned Quanzhou string puppetry is coming to Iloilo City on Feb. 10-11 as part of the 20th and so far, the grandest Chinese New Year celebration in this part of the country.

Allan Ryan Tan, president of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. that oversees the celebration, said the puppet show will be shown instead to public schools.

“This year, we will have a free puppet show for public schools and barangays for them to immerse in Chinese culture. 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,” he said in an interview following the Chinese New Year grand launch Monday afternoon.

Peter Chan, chairperson of the Chinese New Year 2024 task force, said the troupe has visited over 50 countries, including the Philippines. It also performed during the opening of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.

They will perform five stories in eight shows at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center.

Website chinaculture.org said the Quanzhou puppet show is “one of the oldest and rarest among puppet shows in China” with a history of over 2,000 years.

The Chinese New Year celebration in Iloilo City will have the grand parade, grand show, and fireworks display in the afternoon towards the evening of Feb. 9 as highlights. (PNA)