Chinese
New Year isn't just celebrated in China - it's a popular celebration all over
the world. In our country, Manila’s district Binondo is the focal point of the Chinese
New Year celebrations welcoming the year of the Wooden Horse.
This
year, the city government of Manila vowed to amplify the joyous mood with
activities enjoining the local Chinese community and officials in welcoming the
year of the wooden horse.
Wishing
each other ‘Kung Hei Fat Choy’ would not be enough without the traditional
‘niangao’ or the New Year’s Cake ‘Tikoy.’ Some 6,000 tikoys distributed at
Plaza San Ruiz followed by a solidarity parade from Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz to
different parts of Chinatown.
Another Chinese tradition were the hanging of
red lanterns and banners in their homes, dancing in traditional costumes and
watching fireworks. In connection with this, a crowd of around 8,000 was
mesmerized by a 35-minute fireworks display following a countdown to the lunar
new year.
