The Grade 12 Senior Squires gathered in the Salon de Actos on the last day of January 2023 to witness the anticipated Chinese New Year Culminating Activity spearheaded by the Letran Senior High School Department Mandarin Area.

This year’s theme, "Hopping towards a prosperous and harmonious Year of the Rabbit," was showcased through a lantern and prosperity bowl competition joined by Grade 12 students. 

The masters of ceremonies, Mr. David Lai and Ms. Charisse Anne Tsai, welcomed everyone with Chinese greetings to officially begin the Chinese New Year Culminating program. Numerous activities and performances kept the Senior Squires entertained throughout the event, also joined by Mr. Lance Negapatan and Ms. Monica Aira Monserate, who made a presentation with their English and Mandarin speaking skills in narrating the story of "The Legend of the Beast Nian."

The intermission segment began with Ms. Christine Faith Binas singing a Chinese song entitled, “你不知道的痛 (The Hurts You Never Knew),” followed by Ms. Ma. Cassandra Rillo’s performance on the song, “朋友 (Friend).” Not only that, but the Letran Danza en Ritmo Performing Group also showed off their moves and grooves while performing a Chinese Contemporary Dance, which had the audience stand up in their seats and cheer. Likewise, Ms. Charisse Anne Tsai stole the stage as she sang “告白氣球 (Love Confession)," followed by Ms. Sophia Marie Oren, who performed a cover of “你要的愛 (The Love You Want),” one of the soundtracks from the all-time favorite Taiwanese Series, Meteor Garden. The emcees also interacted with the crowd while playing a few riddle games, with winners receiving Ang Paos as prizes.

Moving on to the event's highlight, the lantern-making and prosperity bowl competition, Mr. Lai and Ms. Tsai introduced the judges, namely: Mr. John Cristopher Mesana, the Research and Publication Department Director, and Ms. Marielle Diongco, the head of the Auxiliary Services Department. The announcement of winners started with the Lantern Making Contest, placing 3rd is Ryan Opada from STEM12B, with 89.5 points; Isabella Perocho from ABM12A and James Patrick Canlas from STEM12A both won the 2nd place with a score of 90.5 points; lastly, Athena Diorelle Martinez from STEM12B bagged the 1st place, with 92 points.

On to the prosperity bowl making, Karl Martinez, Shahari Marcial, and Kia Serrano from STEM12A won the 3rd place with 70 points; Monica Aniceto, Bjarne Feliciano, and Ayira Pinlac from STEM12A won the 2nd place with 79.5 points; and Mariel Alejandro, Roni Calupitan, and Sofia Elauria from ABM12B took home the crown with a total of 81 points. 

The Chinese New Year Culminating Activity finished with the crowd singing, "Xīn nián hǎo ya!” a Chinese New Year song concluding this year’s activity. 

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