Chinese New Year fest spotlights Ilonggo-Chinese unity

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City Chinese New Year 2026 celebration officially opened with a grand launch at the SM City Iloilo Activity Center on Feb. 16, 2025.

Iloilo City is set to light up with a weeklong Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, celebration highlighting the deep-rooted harmony between Ilonggos and the Chinese community.

Anchored on the theme “Harmony in Radiance,” this year’s observance aims to reflect enduring unity, shared heritage and the collective contributions of the Chinese community in helping build a more progressive and culturally enriched city, according to festival program director Fulbert Woo.

Woo said the theme underscores how the celebration has evolved since it began in 2003.

“We chose the theme ‘Harmony in Radiance’ because over the past two years, and since our Chinese New Year started in 2003, it has continued to develop,” Woo said, noting the growing participation of the Chinese community in Iloilo.

Iloilo City first organized its Chinese New Year celebration in 2003 under former mayor Jerry Treñas.

The event stemmed from a 2002 Chinese New Year Mass at Santa Maria Parish Church attended by Treñas and organized by community leaders, including Fanny Lao Uy and Fr. Manuel Uy.

In 2003, Treñas sought community support for the first citywide festivities, created a task force and positioned Iloilo as the first city outside Metro Manila to host an organized Chinese New Year celebration.

Woo emphasized that many members of the community now belong to the third generation of Chinese-Filipinos in Iloilo, reflecting how deeply rooted they have become in the city’s social and cultural landscape.

He also cited the strong Chinese influence on Iloilo’s gastronomy.

Iconic dishes such as La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo reflect Chinese culinary roots, blending wonton-style soups and noodle traditions with distinct Ilonggo flavors, he said.

“We would like to promote harmony in everybody, from the business community to workers, to our government counterparts. All of us, if we have harmony in radiance, we have unity; the progress of Iloilo will continue,” Woo said.

This year’s celebration is hosted by Sun Yat Sen High School of Iloilo in collaboration with Hua Siong College of Iloilo, Iloilo Scholastic Academy, and Ateneo de Iloilo.

Hosting duties rotate annually, with Hua Siong College set to lead next year’s celebration.

Woo said Sun Yat Sen High School’s hosting follows its 100th foundation anniversary last year.

Festivities began Feb. 15 with a Mass at Santa Maria Parish Church, kicking off a series of cultural events and performances showcasing Chinese heritage and its vibrant presence in the city.

The festival was formally launched at SM City Iloilo on Feb. 16.

Major highlights are set on Feb. 20, including the Chinese New Year Parade in the downtown area at 4 p.m., followed by a Grand Cultural Show at the Freedom Grandstand at 5 p.m.

The parade will feature colorful floats, traditional lion and dragon dances, school delegations and community groups in a display symbolizing unity and prosperity.

The procession will start at the YMCA Building.

Spectators may watch free performances at two designated areas along Aldeguer Street and at Sunburst Park.

On Feb. 20, the City Traffic and Transportation Management Office announced a full road closure along Fermin Caram Avenue and portions of J.M. Basa Street, from Arroyo Street to Ortiz Street, as well as Muelle Loney Street, from Arroyo Street to Hervas Street, to accommodate parade activities.