BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (UCAN) -- The Chinese Catholic community in Brunei brought Lunar New Year celebrations to a close by hosting a dinner at which it honored elderly people and gave students scholarships.

The Chinese Coordinating Committee of the Brunei Church held its "Ang Pao Night" in a local Chinese restaurant on March 4, the 15th and last day of the traditional New Year observance. Ang pao, or hong bao, are red envelopes containing money that adults give to younger unmarried relatives and children during the holiday period.

About 300 Catholics joined in the event in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital. They included Bishop Cornelius Sim, apostolic vicar of Brunei, Fathers Robert Leong and Michael Sia, and board members of parish councils.

Chen Boxiong, chairperson of the organizing committee for the event, described it as "a sign of unity and communion" due to the participation of so many Catholics from various ethnic backgrounds.

The Chinese Coordinating Committee has held the event every year since it was set up in 1995, he noted in his address, adding his hope that the event continues as a way for Catholics to express their love and respect for the elderly.

Ang pao were given out to elderly people and children, and 10 students received merit scholarships. The evening also featured a singing performance and lucky draw.

The 15th day of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Lantern Festival, usually concludes Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. In the past, unmarried men and women would go out in the evening to watch beautifully decorated lanterns and to solve riddles that hung on the lanterns. This led to the festival being dubbed the "Chinese Valentine's Day."

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(Accompanying photos available at here)