An essential list of where to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year

WHERE TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR

The year of the Earth Pig is set to bring good fortune and prosperity. It’s a holiday of festivities that includes traditional Chinese New Year ceremonies and gastronomic adventures. Hotels and resorts in Cebu are holding the Lunar New Year celebrations with their own special treats. Here’s a guide on where you can celebrate the coming year to attract the good luck and fortune you seek.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

The Chinese New Year merriment at Marco Polo Plaza kicks off with a Yee Sang Tossing tradition with special guests from the FilipinoChinese community on Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. This tradition symbolizes the action of wishing one another a year filled with prosperity and happiness. The revelry continues with an eye-dotting ceremony followed by a traditional lion and dragon dance as firecrackers light up to welcome the coming new year. Another ceremony will be held in the morning of Feb. 5. Cafe Marco also prepared a Chinese feast with Culinary Impressions of China. Bring the whole family and dine during lunch or dinner until Feb. 5 to get a chance to win one round trip ticket to Macau care of Philippine Airlines. For inquiries and reservations, call 2531111 local 8249 or email them at mpplaza@ marcopolohotels.com.

Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan

It’s going to be one auspicious celebration for the Lunar New Year at Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan. The entire family can welcome the year of the pig with a grand celebration that’s bound to bring good fortune this year. The festivities on Feb. 5 start at 5:30 p.m. with a dotting ceremony followed by the lighting of fire crackers to attract good energy. Saffron Cafe is also preparing an auspicious feast with all-time favorite Chinese and Oriental dishes like Sichuan chicken, kung pao chicken, sweet and sour snapper, barbecue asado, roast duck, and a variety of freshly made dim sum. The dessert table is going to be a treat too with sticky and sweet desserts for good charm and luck. For reservations and more information of the Auspicious Celebration at Saffron Cafe, call Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan at 401-9999 or email them at info.mactan@crimsonhotel.com.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino

Guests and visitors are expected to experience the beauty of Chinese music, dance and culture at Waterfront Cebu on Feb. 4 to celebrate Chinese New Year. The ceremonial dotting of the lion’s eyes will be lead by general manager Anders Hallden while the lion and dragon dance will be performed by the Wu Shu Federation of the Philippines Cebu Chapter. The cleansing of the pig will follow thereafter. No celebration is complete without a delightful feast. Lechon and the traditional pancit will be served to guests of honor and media invites. To culminate the Lunar New Year celebration, a grand fireworks display by Pyroworks International Inc. is set to light up the sky at 9 p.m. For more information, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino can be reached at 232-6888.

Quest Hotel & Conference Center

Quest Hotel welcomes the Year of the Earth Pig with an eye-dotting and LED Lion Dance Show at the hotel’s lobby followed by a prosperity toss on Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. On Feb. 4 and 5, Pusô Bistro & Bar will host a bountiful feast of sumptuous Chinese cuisine for only P1,200 net per person. Diners can also order a medium yee sang that’s good for four to five persons at P999 net per order or large yee sang that’s good for six to seven persons at P1,989 net per order. For inquiries and table reservations, call Quest Hotel & Conference Center at 402-5999 or 2305888.

Seda Ayala Center Cebu

Seda Ayala Center Cebu rings in the year of the Earth Pig with a festive culinary adventure at Misto. Traditional red lanterns will be adorned around the restaurant and an exquisite feast of several well-known Chinese delicacies and recipes will be served. Chinese specialties like a dim sum spread, sweet and sour dishes and a noodle station along with international favorites and local dishes are included in the menu. The lunch buffet will be available on Feb. 4 for P850 net per person and on Feb. 5 to 6 at P1,000 net per person. A dinner spread is also available on Feb. 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for P1,000 net per person. A traditional ceremony of the colorful lion dance will also take place at the hotel’s lobby on Feb. 4. For inquiries and reservations, contact 411-5800 or email accebu@sedahotels.com.

Radisson Blu Cebu

Welcome the year of the Earth Pig with a bountiful feast at Radisson Blu hotel’s signature all-day dining restaurant, Feria. There’s an abundance of Chinese cuisine favorites prepared by resident Chinese chef Aik Liang Tan. The delectable spread includes dishes known for the good fortune and prosperity they represent such as the salmon yee sang, pecking duck, stir-fried abalone, cantonesestyle braised beef, and an assortment of appetizing dim sum. This special Chinese New Year dinner buffet is available on Feb. 5 at P1,080 net person. For inquiries and reservations, call 402-9900 or email reservations.cebu@radisson.com.