Skills, prowess dominate Chinese celebrations

By Sonia Morgan, Staff Reporter

Tamara Lee (left) speaks with Simo Chau from the Wing Lung Kung Fu and Tai Chi Association. They were at the Chinese Garden Party at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Old Hope Road last week Sunday. - Dennis Coke

SWORD-SWINGING, back-flipping, stick-fighting members of the The Wing Lung Kung Fu and Tai Chi Association wooed guests at the Chinese Benevolent Association's Garden party to commemorate 52nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Sunday October, 21. The presentations boasted skills and prowess, plus a jazzed-things-up by fighting/dancing to the popular song 'Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting'.

The CBA flung opened it gates on Old Hope Road for the myriad of guests who turned up for the fellowship, the concert and the food which is a must at any major Chinese celebration. One other important aspect of these celebrations is the Lion Dance - to ward of the evil spirits and bring in the good. After an afternoon of fun and food for the adults and the children, an evening of relaxation and entertainment ensued.

Mrs. Gladys Chin and her Little Friends (a children's group) performed an impressive rendition of the Chinese National Anthem. Chinese Ambassador, Guo Chongli, was most impressed. He rose to speak and immediately congratulated them. He said he was "deeply moved by the children singing the anthem, their pronunciation was perfect." He thanked the Jamaican Chinese for keeping the culture alive and Jamaicans on the whole for the relationship shared with China. He said what both countries had in common was that they are both developing countries.

Most people went casual while some others decided to dress up in traditional Chinese garb. Whatever the dress the stress was on the mood of the event. Master of Ceremonies, Elaine Riettie, a CBA executive, kept the programme running smoothly.

CBA's President Vincent Chang, made a symbolic presentation to Major Arthur Richards of the Salvation Army. This represented CBA's gifts of clothing, bed linen and other such items to the Salvation Army.

We spotted Kevin Hendrickson, Tamara Lee, Sheryll Blair, Jean Wong-Sam, Beverley O'Sullivan, Pauline Chin, Lilly Kong and Paul Andrade and son, Paul Jr.

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