Beautifully decorated with Chinese lanterns and overt hints of red, the premier hotel looked ready to welcome fortune in its many forms. A few minutes past 7 in the evening, guests were treated with an exciting dragon dance that lasted for more than 20 minutes.
Lion Dance
Video by Dr. Jo Anne Rivera
Dragon Dance
Video by Dr. Jo Anne Rivera
Similar to the lion dance, the dragon dance is believed to drive away bad fortune and attract good things such as wisdom and great power; qualities that are also believed to be possessed by the dragon. Some say the longer the dragon in the dance, the more luck it can potentially bring in.
Three of Cebu's many influential trailblazers also took part of the Chinese ceremony.
According to Waterfront's Marketing Communications manager Romelle Don Mendoza, the leaders represented various aspects in the community. Business mogul and socialite Amparito Lhuillier represented the economy, while ICanServe Foundation President and active Rotary International officer Mary Ann Solomon represented health. Meanwhile, Mandaue City Councilor Emmarie "Lollipop" Ouano-Dizon represented the government.
"Waterfront is a Chinese-Filipino owned company. So it's very important for the owners that we have this celebration. And we've always been known as the go-to place for Chinese New Year," Mendoza added.
Guests were also treated with an extra special dinner buffer with offerings so distinctly Chinese for that very night at the hotel's lavish Uno Restaurant.
A wide array of food was served to those who were in the festive mood for Chinese cuisine and more.
Like every year, the night was capped off by the austere grandeur of entrancing fireworks.
Waterfront definitely did a good job in proving that the year of the sheep might just be as prosperous as everyone expects it to be.
KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!
Bjorn Tabanera
Contributor - Lifestyle
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