Waterfront Cebu Hotels Welcome the Year of the Rooster with a Bang!

The Chinese New Year is a huge celebration in the Philippines. With a big chunk of the population having Chinese roots, welcoming the new year with traditions, practices, and special activities in the Philippine islands is never uncommon.

In Cebu, the Chinese New Year is welcomed with so much fanfare and high energy. At the forefront of these celebrations are the Waterfront Cebu hotels – two of Cebu’s most prestigious hotels. Each year, these hotels hold elaborate celebrations and observe traditional practices to usher in the brand new year with abundance, prosperity, and happiness.

TheCebuano was there to witness some of the hotel chain’s exciting activities (on the eve and on the actual New Year’s day) to welcome the year of the Fire Rooster. Read on to know more about the hotel’s truly explosive celebration.







Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino

On the eve of the Chinese New Year, some of Cebu’s most important names gathered at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino for the hotel’s Chinese New Year celebration.

The event began with the ceremonial partaking of the pancit. According to customs and traditions, eating noodles on New Year’s day can bring you long life and prosperity.

Waterfront Cebu’s massive (and impressive) Chinese New Year display at the main lobby features a Chinese archway adorned with a Rooster and other important Chinese symbols.

After the short program, guests shared a hearty and satisfying dinner at the hotel’s UNO Restaurant.

After dinner, the traditional lion and dragon dances were held at the hotel’s main driveway.

This was followed immediately by a spectacular 20-minute fireworks show. What a terrific way to welcome the year of the Fire Rooster.


Waterfront Aiport Hotel and Casino Mactan

The next day, on the actual Chinese Lunar New Year’s day, Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino in Mactan, held a separate celebration.

Waterfront Airpot Hotel and Casino’s Money (or Fortune) Tree sits smack dab in the middle of the hotel’s main lobby.

At around 11 am, a short presentation was held at the hotel’s main driveway.

Lion Dance at Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino

The lion dance is a traditional Chinese usually performed during the Chinese New Year. During the dance, the lions perform the cai qing or the plucking of green vegetables hung at the main door of the hotel. The lion dance is said to bring good luck and fortune.

The lion dance was followed immediately by the dragon dance, another traditional Chinese dance performed during the Chinese New year.

The dragon dance also symbolizes good luck and fortune. It is believed that the longer the dragon in the dance is, the more luck it will bring.

Dragon dance at the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino

After the main performance, the lions and dragons entered the hotel premises and danced around guests, and inside offices and business centers.

After the traditional performances, it was time to enjoy a scrumptious lunch at Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino’s UNO Restaurant.

Located right next to the main lobby, the restaurant is spacious, well-maintained, and very well-staffed.

UNO boasts of a carefully-planned international spread as well as the inclusion of several local flavors and favorites.

A giant Fire Rooster sits at the heart of the main dining hall during the hotel’s Chinese New Year’s celebration.

Polite and hard-working restaurant staff at Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino’s UNO Restaurant.

Just some of the delicious dishes served during the Chinese New Year’s celabration at Waterfront.

Dessert platters featuring some of the restaurant’s most favorite treats!

After the lovely lunch, Waterfront formally introduced the hotel’s Executive Chef Issam Al-Suhairy.

Chef Issam “Sam” Al-Suhairy is a Filipino with Person descent. An experienced chef, Chef Sam has worked in various high-end restaurants, establishments, and institutions.

Chef Sam has worked at the Hyatt Hotel Regency in Florida, the Sanderling Duck Resort in North Carolina, Pump House in Alaska, the Vikings Luxury Buffet in Manila, and even at Casa Roces in Malacanang. He has also appeared on UNTV and GMA Network’s Good News.

Know more about Chef Sam by dropping by UNO Restaurant at the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino!


The whole Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino team with the Cebu Bloggers Society during the hotel’s 2017 Chinese New Year celebrations.







To know more about Waterfront Cebu City and Waterfront Aiport, visit their official website here: http://www.waterfronthotels.com.ph/waterfront/

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