On the Year of the Ox, Econ crisis not affecting most Filipinos

3 MIN READ

BAGUIO CITY — The Chinese see the Year of the Ox as an opportunity to observe thrift, patience and hard work, in the context of the world financial crisis, but say the economic meltdown only affects the Western world.

“Filipinos are resilient and we usually survive even in hard times,” businessman Dennis Sy, president of the Baguio Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce said during the press conference on the Chinese New Year at the Supreme Hotel here.

Sy said, the Western world is the one that is really affected by the economic crisis because of stock investments from which the crisis is taking place. The majority of the Filipinos however, do not really invest on the stock market so the people are not really affected.

Sy even sees greater opportunities awaiting the developing countries like the Philippines and agriculture is said to be where the fortune is in the Year of the Ox.

Sy said, however, the common people suffer because of the labor aspect. It should be noted that most foreign investors in the country are mostly Westerners. Many Filipinos working abroad are now coming home due to retrenchment in industrialized countries.

Dr. Charles Cheng, an oriental doctor and founder of the Filipino-Chinese General Hospital here, said the agriculture sector will be successful in the Year of the Ox.

The Filipino-Chinese community will celebrate the Spring Festival or more popularly known as the Chinese New Year from January19 to 26.

The city government supports this week-long celebration here with an annual allocation for the festivities.

On the Oriental lunar calendar, January 26 marks the beginning of the Year of the Ox, and on that same day will be the Grand Colorful Parade. It will start exactly at 3:30 P.M. from upper Session Road with the customary Lion Dance and Dragon Dance together with the different school bands, drum and lyre corps as well as mascots clowns and floats.

Giveaways for good luck such as candies, coins, ang-pao, tikoy and ponkans shall be given to the spectators during the parade. After the parade, there will be a short presentation of variety of cultural dances, martial arts exhibition and the awarding of the winners of the parade. A fireworks display awaits at 6:30 P.M.

As observed every year, the celebration aims to strengthen the cooperation between the Chinese and Filipino communities for better relationship and unity said Peter Ng, president of the Baguio-Benguet Cantonese Association.

Also, this official city activity intends to enhance the people’s understanding and to develop a better social, economic and cultural relationship between the communities. Through this, unity, peace and prosperity will surely come, Ng added.

The ox, as characterized by the Chinese, is hardworking and surefooted. According to Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, the characteristics of this zodiac animal might be good for business. Bautista told the story where Major Kennon with the help of Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese and American settlers helped build the Kennon Road, even without engineering experiences, by following a cow’s path. This is because a cow will not pass a path where it is not comfortable. This is also the reason why the road is zigzag, he said amid an uproar of laughter.

In connection to the country’s economy, it will be a hard, slow but sure progress for the country’s economy. Francis Brito, a feng sui consultant, said Filipinos, like the ox, are cautious, powerful, hard-working and have the strength of character. “2009 will be year to look forward to,” he said with optimism, although he said the impact of the crisis would be felt in the first half of the Year of the Ox.

Also, as part of the press briefing, the Cantonese Association gave the press a cooking demonstration of the traditional Chinese siomai and dumplings while they told of its significance to the Chinese culture.

The city government allocates a budget for the Chinese New Year Festival. This is also the first event that will kick off the year-long Baguio Centennial Celebration. # Vhon Estillero