QC gears up for ‘Year of the Fire Horse’

The local government of Quezon City is inviting the public to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse at the Banawe Chinatown District on 17 February as part of a grand celebration of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese heritage.

It aims to solidify the Banawe district’s reputation as a premier cultural and tourism destination in the city. The main event, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., will span the stretch of Banawe Street from Del Monte Avenue to N.S. Amoranto Street.

Mayor Joy Belmonte stressed that the event is more than just a holiday celebration, describing it as a commitment to honoring the deep contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community to the city’s growth.

She cited that holding the celebration in Banawe showcases the area as a place where heritage and local enterprise thrive side by side.

The celebration follows a week of preliminary activities, including a culinary “Food Crawl” that launched 10 February. The curated journey highlighted local staples such as King Chef, Uniku Taiwanese Restaurant, Sincerity Fried Chicken and The Coze Café.

The initiative was a joint effort between the Quezon City Tourism Department and the Quezon City Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc.

Tuesday’s program begins with the “Bike Ride Banawe Loop” in the morning, starting at Z Square Mall. Throughout the day, visitors can explore a gallery area featuring cultural workshops in calligraphy, origami, and Chinese painting.

A bazaar and night market will also be available, featuring over 60 merchants offering traditional cuisine, garments and charms.

In the afternoon, the street will host a Drum and Lyre Competition at 3 p.m., featuring performances from six local high schools, including Commonwealth and Batasan Hills. Local businesses will also compete for the title of “Best Decorated Establishment” with New Year-themed storefronts.