Welcoming the Year of the Wood Dragon

Several of the metro’s leading hotels and resorts welcomed the Year of the Wood Dragon in style last February 9 and 10. Here’s a roundup of the many celebrations that made this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations in Cebu memorable.

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown earmarked the hotel’s Chinese New Year celebration this year with a visit to the Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple at V. Rama St. in Cebu City on February 9 – the day before this year’s Chinese New Year’s Day.

Leading the visit was the hotel’s general manager Josef Chiongbian.

After the visit, the hotel’s executive officers took part in traditional lion and dragon dance performances at the hotel, and the event was capped with a traditional coin tossing ceremony.

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino welcomed the Chinese New Year with a celebration guised as a tapestry of fun and colors last February 10.

The celebration kicked off with a Wushu demonstration by the Talisay Malayan Academy, which was followed by lively lion and dragon dances.

Serving as the celebration’s clincher was a traditional Yee Sang Toss, which was led by Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino’s OIC Rex Yap, with MCIA Public Affairs Manager Mary Ann Dimabayao, ALIVE President Justin Chan, the hotel’s Executive Chef June Fernandez, and F&B Manager Michel Angelo Tablon.

Seda Ayala Center Cebu

Cebu’s first Seda hotel – Seda Ayala Center Cebu – ushered in the Year of the Wood Dragon with lantern, lion and dragon dances at the hotel’s lobby.

Held on the eve this year’s Chinese New Year’s Day, the celebration was led by the hotel’s general manager Gwen dela Cruz. This year’s Chinese New Year was extra special for Seda Ayala Center Cebu, as it was the fifth Chinese New Year celebration of the hotel.

Shangri-La Mactan

Shangri-La Mactan – one of Metro Cebu’s pioneering resorts – celebrated this year’s Chinese New Year on February 10 with lion and dragon dances at the hotel’s main foyer and lobby.

Leading the celebration was the resort’s general manager Dave Junker, who, after the lion and dragon dances, took part in a Yee Sang Tossing ceremony at the resort’s Lobby Lounge with Lapu-Lapu City mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, congresswoman Cindi King Chan, Director of Rooms Veronica Cimafranca, Executive Chef William Tan, F&B Director John Kow, Director of Events Management Maureen Rendon, HR Director Valerie Cordero and special guest Sunshine Lim.