ONE of the many initiatives of the Quezon City government supported by its first district Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde is the transformation of Banawe Street to a modern-day QC Chinatown.
The 32-year-old freshman lawmaker expressed his all-out support to the City Ordinance No. 2453-2015, where QC Mayor Joy Belmonte declared Banawe St. as the city’s very own Chinatown or its tourism district.
“My city, my mayor and my colleagues are for it — and I’m simply for it too, to firmly establish the Banawe area as Quezon City’s Chinatown because we believe in the next few months and years to come the entire district and our entire city will benefit with this great initiative,” Atayde said.
Atayde, the well-known young actor, added that throughout the decades the Banawe community and the variety of businesses established by Filipinos have been emerging from time to time, giving Filipinos more job opportunities in the district.
The Chinese Horoscope for year 2023, he also said, stands for the year of the Rabbit or Water Rabbit that represents peaceful and patient energy, while the water element suggests tapping into inner wisdom and trusting instincts.
“Combined, the Water Rabbit indicates focusing on relationships, diplomacy, and building bridges,” Atayde also said during his speech at the Banawe Chinese New Year Celebration last week.
“The timing of the celebration and the declaration of Banawe area as Quezon City’s Chinatown is the product of relationships, diplomacy and building bridges.”
Atayde thanked Mayor Belmonte for making it happen — reviving the Banawe Chinese New Year’s Celebration — and the organizers of that last week’s activity for making him a part of it, where everybody witnessed the traditional Dragon Dance and fireworks, among others.
“On behalf of my constituents, I would also like to thank the City Government led by our outstanding Mayor Joy Belmonte for making this happen — not only for Banawe but for the entire Quezon City,” he added.
Aside from Atayde and Mayor Belmonte, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian Isang, QC Vice-Mayor Gian Sotto, QC Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen President Joaquin Co and QC Chinatown Development Foundation Chairman Charles Chen were also supportive to the city’s initiative.