Chinese New Year 2018

MANY believe that the only way to drive out bad luck on New Year's Eve (especially Chinese New Year) is by lighting up firecrackers. But not in Davao where firecrackers and all kinds of pyrotechnics are banned throughout the year. So what the Filipino-Chinese community of Davao does is throw a big celebration complete with music and lion and dragon dances. For all.

This year's countdown held at the Rizal Park had more revelers compared to last year, which was held at the People's Park.

Students from different Chinese schools performed dances and songs. The lion and dragon dancers were met by an ecstatic crowd as the host clapped along with the drums.

As entertainment onstage petered down, another crowd gathered backstage reading the different Chinese Zodiac sign guides for the year. Even policemen assigned backstage were reading.

The sky threatened to pour rain, but people stayed on till midnight. The rain cooperated although the sky was cloudy.

Five minutes before midnight, the crowd was on its feet, putting security personnel on their toes to ensure that the stage will not be mobbed.

As the clock struck 12, confetti poured down, tikoy was thrown to the crowd by members of the Davao Chinatown Development Council together with several city officials, while ang-paus were distributed to the children.

It was mayhem in a good way, a strong and joyful vibe to start the Chinese New year in Davao City’s way of celebrating events. The noise, the rejoicing emitted a happier vibe loud enough to drive away bad luck.

Davao City has once again proven you can welcome the New Year, Chinese or Gregorian, in a grand festive style without firecrackers. All it takes is for people to come together and celebrate as one.