People are jubilant and the Chinese community is ringing with a jovial greeting of “Kung Hei Fa Choi” at Binondo as they all gear to celebrate the incoming Chinese New Year. Binondo Chinese community will lead the countdown to the New Year on February 2 to herald the coming of 2011.

 

In anticipation of the event, vivid and bright colored decorations were already hung not just as decoration but also as a welcome for luck to enter their threshold. Chinese New Year is deeply embedded with superstitions and is religiously observed by the Chinese Filipino community. Ornaments such as fruits and ampao hang abundantly in every windows of homes and commercial areas. Prosperity lanterns and lucky charms are also aplenty because it welcomes wealth and riches into every business. Pineapple fruits laden with kiat-kiat oranges and red money envelopes are a common sight which could spell luck to anyone who would hang it on their abode. Ginger roots are also common since it is mainly used for cuisine and medicinal purpose. For the Chinese, it is a symbol of health and a much needed symbol for the New Year. Lucky offerings of foods are also present in every table to ensure a harmonious relationship inside the family. Despite their numerous symbols, Chinese people believe that their rites should mainly be coupled with industry and diligence in order to be truly successful.

 

A grand celebration to welcome the Year of the Rabbit on will be held at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park on Wednesday, February 2. The celebration will commence with a grand parade at 4:30 p.m. which will start from Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo Plaza) to the Quirino Grandstand. It will be followed with a grand fireworks display on 12 pm as is customary of Chinese celebration. Chinoy already expressed their excitement of the upcoming event. Organizations such as the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc., Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc., Federation of Filipino Chinese Alumni Associations Inc., and the Association of Chinese Filipino Schools in the Philippines are co-organizing the festivity.

 

The Chinese influence has long made a mark in Philippine culture, and many Filipinos have embraced Chinese traditions, among them observing feng shui guidelines, wearing red and participating in lion dances during festivities, and enjoying tikoy, a sticky rice cake.

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This entry was posted on Monday, January 31st, 2011 at 1:34 am and is filed under Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.