Lunar New Year is a significant cultural event celebrated across Asia particularly in countries with Chinese heritage. In the Philippines, Thousands of people celebrated Lunar New Year in Binondo, a district in Manila recognized as the oldest Chinatown in the world making an ideal spot for the celebrations. A large crowd of spectators filled Ongpin street renowned as the jewelry capital of the Philippines and this is the main street that serves as the central gathering and focal point for various activities organized by the city Government to celebrate Chinese new year. Numerous events and activities such as parades, fireworks display, Feng Shui talk, acrobatics as well as the lion and dragon dance and various cultural performances are commonly anticipated.
Red oval lanters hang gracefully around the lengthy streets of Binondo illuminating the path with a stunning glow.The rhythmic vibrations of drum and the resonant clangs of gongs reverbenate through the chest. Lion and dragon dancers showcased their artistry captivating people around with their impressive performances. Each year Fil-Chinese community in Binondo joyfully welcomes the new year embracing the vibrant red hues that are believed to ward off evel spirits and misfortune while inviting goodluck.
Binondo is buzzing with a vibrant and dazzling Chinese celebration. The night is filled with continous non-stop street parties.
They even set up a stage right in front of Chinatown Lai Lai Hotel where various performances by singers take place, their melodies and voices creates a happy ambience for the audience. The area in front of hotel is bustling with a large crowd, the event resembles the Mardi Gras in its lucky spirit.
The magnificent lion and dragon dance lands out as a cherished tradition of Chinese culture that Filipinos have wholeheartedly embraced as it also stands as my favorite photography subject. Additionally,Filipinos have taken the custom of wearing red symbolizing wealth, positivity and good fortune. With a billion Chinese worldwide reflects a rich tradition that has evolved a thousand of years serving as a significant Chinese influence that resonates throughout Asia.
There’s another street performers out here. A marching band jamming along with gay fire eaters right in front. The fire eaters exhibition takes a flaming object and put in his mouth and extinguishes it, however, before the act, they’re handling out red envelopes for small donations. People around showed their generosity by handling out red lucky envelopes known as ”ampao” to the performers, this is the most fantastic way to kick off the year with giving and receiving good blessings.
Entertainers in quirky and unusual costumes were also around drawing people to snap photos for a little extra donation.
Many customers gathered to grab fruits such as: oranges, apples, pineapples, persimmons, tangerines, cherries, dragonfruits to name a few.
Street vendors were all set up chowcasing variety of Tikoy, a sweet glutinous treat available in various flavors that includes: White sugar, brown sugar, buko pandan and Chocolate flavors.
The Magic Water is a perfect drink to chill you out on a hot day celebration. at First, I was just curious, i don’t know how it would taste so I gave it a shot! It tastes like gelatin with a sweet vanilla but it looks like crystal clear water. Another refreshing option, I really loved the Sugarcane juice with calamansi. It was such another refreshing drink to cool me down while I was wandering through the busy street. It quickly became my go-to favorite even before.
Roasted chestnuts on hot stone can also be found along the bustling Ongpin street where they are the popular choice among Chinese.
Pineapples surrounded by native green oranges and adorned with red ribbons represents a festive decorations. In Chinese culture, pineapple is a fruit of great importance especially during festivities of Chinese new year. The term pineapple”Ong Lai” resembles the phrase for incoming fortune. In Hokkien dialect linking the fruit to themes of goodluck, wealth and prosperity.
People of all ages hurried to grab lucky charms designed as sophisticated bracelets that symbolizes wealth, health, career safety and financial success. The most popular items in high demand this season.
Streets foods that a lot of people love, I waited in a long line to buy these favorite Cantonese barbecue treats.
There are two traditional stalls that offer Chinese cuisine located next to each other. They both specialized in Fried Siopao, Machang, Siomai etc.. Attracting long lines of eager customers. The queue seems endless with people continously coming to buy.
When it comes to food, Chinatown serves as an ideal location to celebrate New year’s offering, a variety of esteemed restaurants that provides authentic Chinese cuisine which has consistently proven its enduring quality over the years, known for their lasting excellence which has stood the test of time. The President Grand Palace Restaurant among the best and popular was the venue for our family dinner on New year’s eve. Thanks to the lovely ambiance and delectable menu options. Although we initially intended to order Peking duck but it was no longer available, so we choose another delightful dish instead. The restaurant was bustling with patrons. Thanks for the treat Maro!
We decided not to attend the fireworks display at Jones bridge where the Chinese new year countdown was taking place, as we are aware of the challenges associated being in a large crowd. The good thing, the glass window of our hotel where we are staying offers a splendid view of the stunning fireworks illuminating the sky in various shapes and brilliant colours. We are relishing the opportunity to capture photographs of fireworks which are distinctly visible from afar.
I was super excited, it was my first time to celebrate Lunar New Year in Chinatown. I have long desired to visit Binondo Chinatown initially planning to stay for two nights encompassing both New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year. However, I’ve encountered fully-booked hotels in the past, At long last, my aspiration has materialized this year as we made an advance hotel reservations to avoid disappointment of being fully-booked again. I can’t wait to share this experience with you, you can partake and enjoy visual celebration while reading this blog!
Overall, it was a delightful experience to partake in celebrations with the Chinese communities in Chinatown Binondo, Manila
Cheers to 2025 The Year of the Wooden Snake
Kung Hei Fat Choi !
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!
