Lucky Chinatown, along with their co-presenters Globe myBusiness, Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc., and CHiNOY TV, celebrated Chinese New Year with a countdown! While the festivities were conducted online to ensure everyone’s safety, there was still an enthusiastic response to this new way of celebrating the Lunar New Year as a community. As Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Lucky Chinatown was adorned with ornate red décor and symbols of prosperity, the celebration, filled with exciting games and activities, was truly a joyful one. In fact, the online celebration may have been more accessible!
Hosted by Mary Grace Khu, the event featured special guests, including Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, President of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. Alejandro Co, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls First Vice President and Division Head of Lucky Chinatown Graham M. Coates, and Lucky Chinatown Mall Manager Jocelyn Melitante. Also gracing the event were FFCCCII Vice Presidents Dr. Cecilio Pedro and Victor Lim, Chairman of Youth Committee Reynold Siy, and CHiNOY TV COO Loraine Tan.
Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, FFCCCII President and Alejandro Co, President of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc., shared a few words with the community. Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso also greeted everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, and encouraged everyone to keep their happy perspective through 2021. Special thanks was given to the FFCCCII, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Chinatown Discovery, and the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation during the program.
The pre-event activities began with Khu sharing trivia and fun facts about Chinese New Year celebrations. The audience participated in the fun and were given chances to win GCash ang paos worth PhP888.00 from Globe myBusiness in a raffle, Lucky Chinatown gift certificates were given out for answering questions or even just participating, and a 2-night stay for two at the Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay were up for grabs if you correctly guessed the number of gold coins in the bucket.
Later in the evening, Feng Shui expert Johnson Chua shared his forecasts for the different Chinese zodiacs in the year of the Metal Ox.
from left: Megaworld Lifestyle Malls First Vice President and Division Head Graham M. Coates, Lucky Chinatown Mall Manager Jocelyn Melitante, FFCCCII External Affairs Committee Chairman Nelson Guevarra, Secretary General Dr. Fernando Gan, Vice President Victor Lim, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, FFCCCII President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, Vice President Dr. Cecilio Pedro, and Chairman of Youth Committee Reynold Siy
The final countdown program began with a simple question: What is your wish for the year of the ox? While Khu wished to have things go back to normal, audience members wished for good health, an end to the pandemic, and a prosperous and safe year. The wishes they shared earned them gift certificates from Lucky Chinatown. There were also 8 winners of GCash ang paos selected among the commenters, sponsored by Globe myBusiness.
Then came the lion eye-dotting ceremony, after which the lions came to life and the much-awaited lion dance began! After the lions received their ang paos and scrolls, a gong was struck to drive away bad luck and encourage good fortune.
Fireworks appeared on screen as the clock struck midnight, welcoming the Year of the Metal Ox. With that, Lucky Chinatown wishes everyone a prosperous Year of the Ox!
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