CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — From the busy lanes of Cogon Market to the hilltop grounds of the Bell Church in Barangay Macasandig, red lanterns and dragon dances signal the Lunar New Year in Cagayan de Oro.

What was once largely observed within homes, temples, and business communities has, over the past decade, evolved into a city-supported celebration that blends culture, tourism, and local enterprise.

A Turning Point in 2016

For many years, Lunar New Year observances in Cagayan de Oro were primarily private gatherings within the Filipino-Chinese community.

In 2016, the city government under then-Mayor Oscar Moreno partnered with the Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MOFCCCI) to launch the 1st Chinese New Year Festival as an organized, city-wide event.

According to reports from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) at the time, the partnership aimed to promote cultural understanding while supporting tourism and business activity in the city.

Moreno underscored the importance of collaboration, stating:


“The city cannot do it alone. We need the support and the active participation of the private sector if we are to achieve our goals for Cagayan de Oro,” as reported by PIA on August 10, 2016.

Business leaders echoed similar sentiments. Then-MOFCCCI president Greg Marten Lao helped coordinate the chamber’s participation in the inaugural festival. Later that year, Efren T. Uy, who assumed the chamber presidency, highlighted continued cooperation with the city government.

“Our partnership with the city government is vital in promoting Cagayan de Oro as a premier investment destination,” Uy said, according to a PIA-10 report dated December 15, 2016.

Cultural Anchors

Two locations have played significant roles in the celebration’s development: the Chinatown area in Barangay 24 and the Bell Church in Barangay Macasandig.

The Bell Church, constructed in 1989, traces its origins to a religious organization founded by Ng Pee in Baguio City in the mid-20th century. For many years, it primarily served members of the Filipino-Chinese community.

In 2023, guided tours were introduced in coordination with the Oro Trade and Investment Promotions Center (Oro-TIPC), opening the site to a broader public audience and positioning it as part of the city’s cultural tourism offerings.

Expanding the Celebration

Over time, the Lunar New Year festivities have expanded to include public performances, trade fairs, and sporting events such as the Mayor’s Cup Spring Festival Dragon Boat Race along the Cagayan River.

In recent years, organizers have also highlighted culinary showcases featuring Filipino-Chinese dishes and locally adapted flavors.

For the 2026 celebration, Oro-TIPC head John Asuncion said the city is focusing on enhancing visitor experience, including a Food Bazaar highlighting delicacies rooted in the city’s Filipino-Chinese heritage.

“Every year, we try to make it grander; from the usual fireworks, it has become a pyro-musical event because we always want to bring something new to Cagayan de Oro,” Asuncion said during a press briefing on February 11.

Culture and Commerce

City officials and business leaders describe the festival as both a cultural celebration and a tourism initiative. By bringing Lunar New Year traditions into public spaces, organizers say the event encourages wider participation while supporting local businesses.

As the dragon dances wind through city streets and families gather at temples and markets, the Lunar New Year in Cagayan de Oro reflects how tradition and public celebration have gradually converged over the past decade.