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Chinese New Year 2013 Celebration in Binondo, Manila

2/10/2013

18 Comments

 
The streets of the oldest Chinatown in the whole world are filled with people to join the celebration of  the most important traditional Chinese holiday, the Chinese New Year or traditionally known as the Spring Festival.  It is in Binondo where you can find one of the best celebrations of the first day of the Lunar New Year in the Philippines as it became the major economic and cultural center of Chinese in the country after they established it in 1594. This 2013, Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, February 10.
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Manila's local "China Town", Binondo is bustling with people who are joining the colorful festivity of the Chinese New Year.  Alive in bright colors,  you can feel the festive atmosphere as every street are filled with traditional decorations, greetings and goodies. This is the reason why it became a hub to many visitors during the first day of the Lunar Year.  Binondo is an exciting ethnic enclave to discover the culture of the Chinese in the Philippines.
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As you enter the Arch of Goodwill, you can notice that every side of the street was plentiful of lucky charms and traditional decorations, some made of kiat-kiats, gingers, pineapples and "ampao" flaunting the Chinatown with red and gold. These charms are believed as ushers of good energy. 
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Most visitors are lining up for the lucky “tikoy” or known in Chinese as "nian gao" which is a homonym for "higher year". It is considered good luck to eat during this time because it symbolizes unity and harmony among friends and family. They offer tikoy to the Kitchen God aiming that his mouth will be stuck with the sticky cake. Because of this, he can't badmouth ones family to the God of all Gods.
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As you walk along the streets, you can hear the thundering beats of the drums, the clangs of the cymbals and the bangs of the firecrackers as the Lion and the Dragon Dancers perform. This is a tradition in any festive Chinese celebrations especially during the Chinese New Year, which they believe it drives away bad spirit and bring forth good fortune to their life.  In dragon dance, the performers dramatize the movements of dragons that symbolize power and dignity. 
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This tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year is really one of a kind. As a culture junkie, my 3-hour walk in Binondo means so much to me as I became part of the most important Chinese festival. Aside from soaking up the colorful streets festooned with gorgeous decorations and treated my taste-buds with great Chinese foods, I learned many things by once embracing their culture. To all my Chinese friends, Kung Hei Fat Choi!
18 Comments
Mark Joseph Gesite link
2/11/2013 04:44:38 am

even not on a Chinese New Year, Binondo's China town is one of my favorite place in Manila. My dad and his wife lives in Sta. Cruz near Binondo, we never fail to visit this place!! I like how diverse the option you have in terms of buying pasalubong.

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Mark Joseph Gesite link
2/11/2013 04:46:45 am

Binondo is one of my favorite places in Manila. You can find several pasalubong options in this place. We never fail to buy Ing Bee Tin in this place....Happy New Year!!

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Franc Ramon link
2/11/2013 05:28:03 am

It's really festive in Binondo with all the shows, foods and fireworks.

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Wanderer Juan link
2/11/2013 05:50:16 am

It seems like Chinese New Year in Binondo is always festive and colorful, based on what I've seen last year and this year.

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Mai Flores
2/11/2013 11:48:07 am

I had to miss this celebration since I had family errands. I was only able to admire the festivities from friends photos. :/

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EscapeManila link
2/11/2013 11:58:07 am

Very colorful photos. if only I still live in Manila I would have gone there. I was there last year and the experience was amazing.

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jane link
2/11/2013 12:35:03 pm

wow so colourful and glad to see those bracelets! drooling over them! xx

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Tripsiders link
2/11/2013 04:50:32 pm

I'm not chinese, but i always looking forward to chinese new year, not only because of tikoy...but because of how colorful the celebration is. :)

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Quimz link
2/12/2013 12:12:29 am

I've been to Manila, but never really had time to explore it. I've heard a lot of nice things about Binondo and now I know why. Must visit this place soon. :)

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Francis Balgos link
2/12/2013 02:50:14 am

I'm not really into bustling arround with people, so Ikind of avoidded celebrations like this.
Looking at your photos though makes me realised what I was missing.
I always associat Binondo with awesome chinese food and culture.
Never thought they could be as colorful just like the real thing.
Great to know, that the worlds oldest China Town is with us.

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Marley link
2/12/2013 05:00:37 am

I suddenly forget the conflict between China and the Philippines when I saw the pictures above. Hope that it will end in a peaceful manner.

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maritel (merlmd) link
2/12/2013 06:32:02 am

you should come and visit Bacolod for Chinese New Year (www.bacolaodiat.com) but, I notice something from your pictures, there are no street decorations for CNY in Binondo...

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Ronnie Leyba link
2/12/2013 04:21:02 pm

Haven't seen any Chinese new year celebration personally. I wish i can witness in person those dragon dances and such that really portrays how Chinese value the year to come.

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papaleng link
2/12/2013 05:14:11 pm

Binondo has been a great part of my life durung my university days. I do have a frat brod who lives there. And I can attest na even kahit simpleng araw, Chinatown is buzzing with activities.

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papaleng link
2/12/2013 05:16:54 pm

Binondo is part of my university days. A brod happens to live in one of its side street, so regular tambay kami riyan. And I tell even on ordinary days, the place thrives with activities.

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Mark Morfe link
2/13/2013 06:45:19 am

Nice takes on the CNY event. I went there last Sunday (Feb. 10) together with some bloggers and photographers.

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ralph rollon link
2/13/2013 01:17:22 pm

I haven't really tried watching a chinese new year celebration..But i look forward to their fireworks always at night..Happy new year my chinese brothers and sisters!Yahweh bless

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Myrns Roman link
2/14/2013 05:58:48 am

ganda naman ng photos ! i'm always in Binondo area...Binondo church and food trips , one of my love in Manila talaga ... i just did not go the chinese new year celebration....sayang!

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