Lion and Dragon Dance Welcomes Chinese New Year!

Boom, bang, bang. Boom, bang, bang.

Goes the giant drum beating to the rhythm of cymbals, gongs, and the noisy footsteps of a team of dancers taking control of a large, flexible dragon puppet using poles. The dancers are in colorful costumes in bright red, yellow and orange, simulating either a dragon or a lion. 

Through the creation of lively movements and dance steps amid the loud beating of drums, the Chinese-Filipino among us believe that we get rid of bad luck and misfortune while welcoming the new year wholeheartedly with good fortune.

Witness this unique ritual and tradition as our very own Filipino-Chinese community toasts the coming Chinese New Year (January 29) by way of an exhibition dance on one hand and a dance competition on the other.     

The Huang Lion and Dragon Dance Group showcases a percussion performance at East Wing Atrium in Greenhills Mall (GH Mall) in San Juan City on Sunday, January 19 at 10AM, 10 days ahead of Chinese New Year. 

On the same day in the same venue, a Lion Dance competition will be held offering the following prizes: P100,000 to the grand winner, P80,000 to the second prize, and P50,000.00, third prize.

The cash prizes are meant to encourage the different teams to continue the art of the lion and dragon dances. 

“Since both dances inspire the spread of good fortune and prosperity, we thought that giving out cash prizes would be the best form of recognition talaga,” according to Mr. Gaius Uy, founder of Huang Lion and Dance Group.

With Pawchester Pet Salon and Café as major sponsor, the event is hosted by KC Montero.

Mr. Uy says the twin events hope to showcase the rich Chinese-Filipino heritage and celebrate its culture in a meaningful way.

“At the same time, we want to show our people how talented Pinoys and Chinoys are,” he adds.

 For the competition, organizers are bringing in different teams to showcase their various talents. Uy hints that audiences should watch out for acrobatics, which he says are now at a different level. 

“We’re very excited to see new dances and routines,” he says.

The performances are infused with traditional Chinese routines while the dancers are dressed in lion and dragon costumes. While their influence is primarily Chinese, the Filipino style in executing these dances nevertheless shines through.

The twin events are in partnership with GH Mall, Pawchester and Huang Lion Dance Group.

Criteria for judging includes creativity, the supreme test of acrobatics performed, and overall stage presence of the dancers.