A group of journalists interviewed Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, an industrialist and also hybrid rice seedling technology pioneer who graduated with an engineering degree from University of the Philippines (U.P.) and studied also at Harvard Business School. He is also chief convenor of the Filipino Chinese Community Calamity Fund, a coalition of major Filipino Chinese cultural, civic and business federations which has raised and donated over P300 million pesos worth of medical supplies, foods and other reflief goods all over the Philippines during the recent pandemic crisis. Here are excerpts of his candid interview.

Why is the Chinese New Year important?

The Chinese New Year, also called the 'Spring Festival', is culturally and historically the most important festival in Chinese civilization since it signals the start of spring season and it marks the beginning of the new year according to the ancient lunar calendar. It symbolizes eternal hope, renewal and the Chinese people's innate optimism for a better future.