Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso led the lighting of the “Golden Prosperity Horse” at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo on Feb. 9, signaling the start of the city’s Year of the Golden Horse festivities.
The mayor was joined by Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc. (FFCCCIII) president Victor Lim, Manila Chinatown Development Council Executive Director Tony Sy and various city officials.
The event featured an eye-dotting ceremony, a traditional rite intended to symbolize the awakening of spirit, wisdom and good fortune for the coming year.
During the ceremony, Moreno expressed gratitude to the Filipino-Chinese community for its ongoing partnership with the local government.
He pledged a transparent administration, emphasizing that all contributions from the private sector would be strictly allocated to municipal improvements.
“No abuse will come to you as long as I am the Mayor of the City of Manila,” Moreno said.
“Rest assured, whatever resources that you are going to share to the City of Manila, we will make sure every single cent of it will be dedicated and converted into public service for our community,” he said.
The Binondo district, recognized as the world’s oldest Chinatown, underwent extensive preparations for the holiday.
Local merchants and tourism groups decorated streets with lanterns and organized cultural programs to accommodate an expected surge in visitors. While specific budget figures were not disclosed, city officials noted that previous infrastructure projects in the area have often involved investments exceeding P10 million, with a significant percent of funding sourced from community donations.
