FIREWORKS lit up the sky over the Bell temple in Barangay Macasandig on Tuesday night as the local Filipino Chinese Community shed off bad energy as the Chinese New Year of the Snake ushers in a spirit of renewal and regeneration.
As dragon dancers snaked through the temple, Greg Marten Lao, former president of the Bell Temple, clapped his hands with hope for new beginnings and a willingness to move on.
“In our tradition fireworks and noises drive away the bad vibes and toxicity,” Lao said.
The Lunar New Year also ushered in week-long parties and feasts on all Chinese-owned stores and establishments in the city.
The celebration held at the temple here started in 1989 following the design of the Bell Temple in Baguio City. It offered a religious sanctuary for some 300 members of the local Filipino Chinese community.
Local trader John Asuncion who heads the Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investments Promotions Center said it was a good thing that the local Chinese Filipino community has allowed Cagayan de Oro to peek into the temple and their lives.
“Local Chinese here are generally shy and it only lately they opened this temple to the public,” Asuncion said.
