PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on Filipinos to emulate the Fire Horse’s symbolism of courage and forward motion as he joined the Filipino-Chinese community in celebrating the Lunar New Year.
“I invite all Filipinos to move with purposeful haste — swift when necessary; measured when it matters most. Momentum can be energizing, but direction is what truly delivers results,” Marcos said.
“Let us protect what is essential, such as fair opportunity and reliable public services, while enhancing productivity, stronger value chains, and communities that never leave the vulnerable behind,” he added.
The president said that while the horse and fire evoke energy and boldness, real progress depends on prudent households, productive industries, and reliable public service working together to build a more prosperous and empowered Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines).
He noted that the horse symbolized “movement, courage, and forward motion,” while the fire element represents energy and drive.
“These symbols convey great meaning for many among us, but the nation does not advance on symbolism alone,” Marcos said.
“It progresses when Filipinos show up for work, when households make every peso count with prudence and good judgment, and when government and industries keep the country growing through consistent service, sound decisions, and the rigor that turns daily effort into long-term growth,” he added.
Marcos highlighted the season as an opportunity for renewal and purposeful action for Filipinos, noting that it was a moment to align personal, community and national efforts toward growth and prosperity.
“It is a time when households, communities, and businesses set priorities, execute plans, and focus on what truly sustains them,” the president said.
“Across generations, we have come to see prosperity as something we cultivate: built by everyday work, guided by discipline, and multiplied when it creates jobs and supports initiatives that hold our people together,” he added.
Marcos stressed the importance of protecting fair opportunity and reliable public services while strengthening productivity, value chains and inclusive communities.
“If we keep our course firm and our standards high, we can shape a more prosperous, agile and empowered Bagong Pilipinas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte urged Filipinos to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with the spirit of “bayanihan” (communal unity).
“This is a year of high energy and bold action — offering big rewards for those with the courage to take them,” Duterte said in her Lunar New Year message.
“Now is the time to ignite the spirit of bayanihan and charge forward into a new year of possibilities. Let us unite for a prosperous and progressive Philippines for everyone,” she added.
In a related development, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said the increased arrivals of Chinese tourists continue to be a significant influence on overall tourist arrivals for 2025, noting that China is historically among the country’s largest sources of tourists.
In 2019, the Philippines welcomed nearly 2 million Chinese tourists, making China the second-largest source of visitors after South Korea.
As of Dec. 20, 2025, international arrivals reached 5.606 million, with China ranking sixth at 262,144 visitors, behind South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada.
The DOT attributed the slower rebound to visa disruptions, security perceptions and limited air connectivity, with routes between China and the Philippines operating at only about 45 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
Tourism Attaché to China Ireneo Reyes said the reintroduction of the Philippine electronic visa in November 2025 is expected to help restore travel confidence and boost arrivals beginning the first quarter of 2026.
“Through the implementation of the visa-free policy for Chinese nationals traveling to the Philippines for tourism or business, we reaffirm our commitment to revitalizing travel between our two countries and accelerating the sustained growth of Philippine tourism,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said in her Chinese New Year message.
Frasco added that the Lunar New Year celebration reflects the enduring friendship and deep cultural ties between Filipinos and Chinese, highlighted by vibrant festivities in Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown.
Despite market-specific challenges, the tourism sector generated P3.86 trillion in receipts in 2024 and supported 6.75 million tourism-related jobs for Filipinos.