A parade of religious and cultural events will take place next week in the country and in many parts of the world, making the next days relaxing as it gives many of us a respite from work and occasions to reflect on the significance of each event.
In about 20 countries, Tuesday, Feb. 17 will be marked as the Chinese New Year, the holiday that celebrates the beginning of spring.
In China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the day is the start of the 15-day holiday that culminates with the Lantern Festival.
Years back, I had the opportunity to witness how the Chinese celebrate the holiday when I spent a week in Hong Kong for a spring festival event of a city-based educational network that featured the participation of various countries, including the Philippines, in its cross-cultural program.
For Negrenses, the celebration is marked through the Bacolaodiat Festival, which is held on the weekend of the global celebration – this year, on Feb. 20-22.
The celebration of dances, food, music and lights, started in 2006, is one of the grandest celebrations in the country.
I remember facilitating a cultural exposure visit of a Chinese University student some years back. I made arrangements for the visitor to be hosted by an ethnic Chinese family.
At the end of the visit, the student expressed appreciation for the experience, saying he felt at home despite being away from his folk.
At the same time, he expressed amazement at how the local celebration appeared as a community event, while back home, he said, it’s a purely family affair.
2026, in the Chinese lunar calendar us the Year of the fire Horse, a symbol of passion, determination, high energy, and transformation.
To my friends in the Chinese diaspora, have a happy new year.
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A day after the Chinese New Year is observed, Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, begins.
My Muslim friends in the city, like their nearly two billion counterparts around the world, will be engaged in fasting, prayer, reflection and community togetherness.
Ten years ago, while attending an educators’ conference in Surabaya, Indonesia, I was roused from my sleep around 4:30 a.m. by chanting through public address system coming from two directions.
A quick check with the hotel front desk reminded me it was Ramadan season and people were starting their pre-dawn prayers from two mosques nearby.
The Ramadan observance will end with the Eid-al-Fitr holiday on March 19.
Ramadan Mubarak to Ma’am Warda and her fellow Muslims. Ma’am Warda is the Arabic culture mentor at GLJaena Elementary School, which my former Service-Learning students and I continue to support today.
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On Wednesday, the 40-day Lenten Season begins with the Ash Wednesday observance. It will end on April 2, the day before Good Friday.
Theologians explain that the number 40, is significant in Biblical history – the Great Flood in Noah’s time lasted for 40 days.
For 40 years, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness before reaching the promised land.
Also, Moses fasted for 40 days before he received the 10 Commandments. And Jesus spent 40 days fasting and praying in solitude in preparation for his ministry.
All these are among the points of reflection during the Lenten Season.
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On Tuesday, another event is being observed – the Random Acts of Kindness Day. Started in the United States, the event is now observed worldwide for its significance to humanity.
Introspecting on the significance of the different big events next week, we can say that the day devoted to kindness is an embodiment of acts reflective of and encouraged by our faith and the spirit of solidarity and hope in the new year celebration.
The day encourages people to engage in acts of goodness and kindness, without considering the return one gets. For promoters of the event, no act is too small if meant to make someone feel good or better.
In the spirit of the observance, we can do something for someone on this day… and always.
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Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. (Proverbs 21:21) | NWI
