An unprecedented number of members and guests of the Anvil Business Club (Association of Young Filipino-Chinese Entrepreneurs ) – totaling almost two hundred – flocked to the Valle Verde 5's Clubhouse to commemorate the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節) celebration through fun, fellowship and festivity in what was deemed as the Club's most well-attended Moon Cake Festival bash to date (far exceeding last year's number). A plethora of door prizes – largely donated by the members and officers themselves – marked the great success of the event, with most of the nearly two hundred attendees winning at least an armful of winnings.
While the festival is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar (for 2015, it's on September 27), the organizers decided to move it on the 25th of September to accommodate more members who have expressed availability on that date. Coincidentally, last year's festival was also held on the same day.
The festival dates back 3,000 years ago when Chinese emperors worshiped the moon for a good harvest. Today, the Chinese community, and everyone who wants to join in on the fun, participate in the Moon Cake Festival dice game, which originated in Southern Fujian (Fookien), China where most Chinese in the Philippines migrated from, some 1,500 years ago, and little has changed over the years. It was used by scholars of the time looking for success in imperial exams.
The occasion was made more memorable with soft rock rhythms rendered by the Infinite Vibes Band. Sultry singer-composer Diana Soto Dayao further lent color to the event by serenading the audience with two original compositions, "Ikaw Lamang" and "Another Day," while noted Fil-American rapper Knowa Lazarus of Q-York earned his share of young lady admirers with his own ingenious numbers "Fallen" and "Qrush on You" – both artists rendering their services for free.
But the highlight of the evening remained to be the traditional dice game, where Anvil member-participants and guests gathered around a ceramic bowl with 6 dice per table. They all took turns throwing the dice into the bowl with hopes of getting the good combinations, if not the best – called “chong wan" (狀元插金花). The highest “chong wan” combination consists of 4 fours and 2 ones. That evening, whoever got the “chong wan” per table won the grand prize of Php5,000 cash. Of course there were prizes for all other winning combinations. Even the "unlucky" ones still got consolation prizes, so everybody went home happy... for all of the fifteen (15) tables laid out that evening, courtesy of very generous member-sponsors.
Sumptuous buffet food (catered by Verleo Catering Services), a plethora of prizes (courtesy of the officers and members), warm smiles and great company (thanks to pretty young ladies and debonair young gentlemen who graced the occasion) of new and old friends punctuated Anvil's second very successful Mid-Autumn Festival celebration.
Kudos to the organizers, led by Director for Fellowship Sheree Chua, Committee Chairperson Therese Pua, with members Pauline Lim, Jeanne Kao, Ben Ching, Larraine Chuacokiong Ching, Annika Yao, Richmond Co, Richard Xu, Winny Grace Yu and emcee Val Ang, who made this occasion extra special!
As the Chinese always say, "Good luck, enjoy, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"
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