First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos brought elegance and warmth to the 2025 Chinese New Year Reception on Monday, hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

Surrounded by vibrant red lanterns and the festive spirit, Mrs. Marcos called for stronger unity and prosperity, celebrating the enduring bonds.

“With this joyful celebration of the Lunar New Year, we warmly recognize the deep ties between our peoples, built on friendship and mutual respect,” she said.

“May this year bring even greater harmony and prosperity to our nation,” she added.

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the start of a new year in the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. It symbolizes the shift from winter to spring, a time of renewal, reunion and hope.

In 2025, the Lunar New Year begins on Wednesday, 29 January, kicking off 15 days of vibrant celebrations, culminating in the Lantern Festival on 12 February.

The First Lady also took to social media to share her excitement about the occasion, posting a photo of herself in an elegant red-striped dress — a nod to the festive color symbolizing luck and good fortune in Chinese culture.

The photo was met with admiration from netizens, who praised her for her grace and dedication.

“Thank you for attending, Ma’am Liza! Your presence is truly proud-making! Gong Hei Fat Choi po!” one user said.

“Wow, Ma’am Liza! You really look beautiful! Thank you for promoting good relations!” added another.

“Liza looks so stunning, elegant.”

2025 marks the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle. The Snake represents wisdom, elegance, and intuition, qualities that are celebrated during this Lunar New Year.