Chinatown Binondo, Manila: Happy Chinese New Year 2016!

            

                                                    

Let us enter the arch of new beginning. The day after the Chinese Lunar New Year(2016) Celebration. I remember before someone asked me what were the two important days in your life? I was shocked when he asked me that out of the blue. At the very first place we didn't know each other. After roughly 5 minutes of thinking I gave him an honest answer and that was a tough question though. I said first was my birthday then second was new year celebration. I right away explained why were these special. My birthday because it reminds me of how my mother exerted so much energy just to deliver me into this world. It also gives way for me to assess myself on what I've done in the previous year and my plans in the coming years. New Year Celebration as my second picked gave me a very positive impact towards life. Literally, new year celebration is just the next day of today or tomorrow of today. Everything almost didn't change just the time, date and year on your phone. But there is something really special about this celebration, apart from the loud and amazing fireworks, noisy firecrackers, festive mood and zappy people. This celebration allows you to have "New" in everything, that's why it's New Year! It's like you are entering an arch of new beginning. A second chance. It's like its setting up your mind that you are free to make a "BIG" change in your life. And that's why I love it.

Going forward it was morning after the chinese new year celebration when we went to Chinatown. I was at work during the countdown I thought this eat out would not happen. In the Philippines it is usual to celebrate the december 31 going january 1 new year countdown however for a normal filipino family, chinese new year is not celebrated extravagantly. I guess because like me and my friends instead of celebrating it separately we joined together, went to Chinatown and enjoyed the festive atmosphere with our chinese friends. Much cheaper and closer to the occasion. This is one of the great traits I guess being a Filipino although there is a colonial mentality but embracing different culture and adapting it helped me understand my surroundings. People and their actions.

The other way going to Chinatown, Manila. It was 7am when we went out from our office. We rode MRT from Pioneer station to Edsa-Pasay it was like P20 each then from there we rode LRT 1 from Edsa-Pasay to Carriedo another P20 each. It was rush hour that time and unfortunately we were like sardines inside the train. From Carriedo we walked going to Ongpin, Binondo.

(L-R) Me, Uela and Ise                                             (c) Kenneth Mendoza


When the Dragon danced. While we were walking continuously finding a chinese resto where to eat we did not expect that even if the celebration has already ended we could still see a dragon dance which is part of the chinese new year. Usually its body is made of silk and bamboo and it has gills made of colorful paper. It is maneuvered by young men wearing red shirt. Dragon is known to be a mythical creature in chinese culture. Welcomed the New Year with a Smile!

Young Men, Dragon, Fireball

  Red and Gold Lion. Aside from Dragon Dance we got to see the dance of the lions. That was my first time to watch it up close. I enjoyed it. Red is distinguished in chinese culture which symbolizes fire while Gold means fortune or prosperity. That's why people preferred to wear dress with these colors.

When the lion danced. I accidentally captured this moment when these guys were dancing infront of the store. While the owners were watching.

                     

Red and Gold Lion 2

When they entered the store.

When they lit the firecrackers as part of the tradition to drive away bad luck.

When the lion played with the firecrackers.

(L-R) Me, Uela and Ise           (c) Kenneth Mendoza 

Welcome to Chinatown! Welcome to Binondo, Manila!

Carvajal Street. It was still early that time and we kept finding an open chinese resto so while we were walking we went inside this dry market where we saw different fruits, rice cakes etc. which are usual during new year celebration.

Hanging Fruits with Ang Pao "Chinese Red Envelope" Chinese culture is very rich especially in celebrating new year. Normally you  can see things like these as a symbol to drive away bad luck and welcome prosperity. This has already adapted in the country where even during christmas godfather or godmother put money inside "Ang Pao" and give it to their godchild/ren. This is a belief with the chinese culture influence that has been practiced for many years because they want their godchild/ren to have a lucky money. You'll never know it will multiply and that's awesome, right?

Rice Cakes. These foods perfect to eat on your breakfast with hot coffee on the side have filipino influence. Those white here are "Puto" while brown or dark in color are "Malagkit" and "Kutsinta"

Ang Pao(s) and different symbols.

Ying Ying Tea House. Discovering Chinese Culture through Chinese Foods. At last we were able to see an authentic chinese resto. Located at Dasmarinas, Binondo, Manila.

Groupie before we ordered. The place was ok it was the usual chinese restaurant in chinatown but it didn't matter to me since I went there to eat.

What's on the table?

Lemon Chicken. I like it but it would be more perfect in taste if it's well mixed-the sauce and the chicken. More sauce please!

Veggies. The taste was usual, it's good though.

Siomai. My forever love!

Thank you for the great food!

Jasmine Tea. This is the best tea I've tasted so far. In all fairness, the taste was so not artificial. It has a clean and good flowery smell. It has a calming effect. I actually drunk more tea than water.

Big Scoop Ice Cream House

A must try! Like Ying Ying Resto it was my first time to go in Big Scoop Escolta. I didn't know this place. But when my friend Ise said that we would go to an Ice Cream House I got excited. If you'll ask me which would I choose, cake or ice cream? I'd definitely choose Ice Cream. I'm an Ice Cream lover. She said, I should try their avocado flavor. I fell in love with the place when we went there. It's clean. It has this vintage ambience. I was not sure at first which flavor would I buy even if my friend suggested avocado gladly they had free taste.

(L-R) Me, Ise, Uela and Kenneth. I've almost tasted all the flavors. From the usual chocolate, mango and vanilla. I was in a dilemma which to buy if pistachio or avocado. In the end I still chose the jackfruit flavor not the two. I don't know but I find the taste like you're eating real jackfruit.

(L-R) Me and Uela                                                                  (c) Ise Fabillar            

 With the Big Scoop fridge. Good thing we were the only customers that time so we really took advantage to take pictures with this fridge. I really thought that the ice cream each cone was expensive. The price was right worth 35 pesos.

(L-R) Me, Uela and Ise                                         (c) Kenneth Mendoza 

Polland Hopia. We stopped here to buy souvenirs for my mom. I was thinking which would I buy, rice cake "tikoy" or hopia? In the end I chose to buy 4 boxes of Hopia with different flavors like ube, jackfruit and beans. Aside from siomai I also love hopia its a pastry with different fillings.

(L-R) Me, Uela, Kenneth and Ise                       (c) Ise Fabillar  
Groupie before we went home.

(L-R) Me, Ise and Uela                                    (c) Kenneth Mendoza   

New Chinatown Arch. Despite the controversy about this new arch I honestly was wowed by this. My friend even said we were like in Bangkok. The design and its colours are very inviting to the tourists eyes. You can't resist to go inside and discover the beauty and history of Chinatown.

                                                                     (c) Ise Fabillar

Old Chinatown Arch. And I ended my Chinatown after new year celebration tour here. A perfect imperfect shot behind this old arch. Discovering what's inside Binondo Manila, what's inside Chinatown was worth it and became more special since it happened during the new year celebration. From the chinese food we ate, the entertaining dragon and lion dance we accidentally saw along the street, carvajal street, ow so delicious ice cream from Big Scoop, hopia souvenirs from Polland to the new and old arch. Everywhere has its own story and influence of chinese culture. The place is rich and colorful like its culture and traditions. Perfect for cultural explorers. Chinatown in the Philippines is considered and known to be the oldest Chinatown in the planet(also outside China) Luckily its in the backyard. Being a local tourist just want to kudos the filipino-chinese community with the help of local government for preserving and continuously beautifying Chinatown. This place is a real evidence of very long friendship of chinese and filipinos. Without a doubt I will surely go back here, eat my super love siomai and continue exploring Chinatown. Have a prosperous and colorful 2016 to all of us!!!

     
                                             

SM Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay Manila: My first ever Amway Nutrilite Health Run!

Perks of being an Amway IBO. Have you heard about Amway or IBO? Amway simply means American Way and IBO stands for Independent Business Owner. Amway is a Multi-level marketing company or also known as direct selling. I've known this legit company when I was in my roughly 8th grade when our neighbor had this tarpaulin with a pictures of medicines near their gate. I'm also aware about their credit card issued by Bank of America in the U.S. I'm already turning 1 year selling Amway Products. Like working as an employee this sideline business I have is not an easy job, it will surely test your sales and marketing skills. Your guaranty of success will depends on you and also your belief towards the products you sell. You should definitely use the products you sell. Amway is well known for making and selling quality health and beauty products. There are also other products but I am focusing now on what I am using. I started drinking Nutrilite(health) products last year such as vitamin c, calcium, b complex and vitamin e. I must say that these are really perfect since I am working on a graveyard shift which requires more energy and immune system boosters. I am also using cc cream from Artistry(beauty) products. I have Java and Fair which give natural effect on my skin complexion. I also got addicted to Amway Achievers Coffee made by Figaro. I have been drinking this until now from the time I first tasted it last year. It is matchless to other instant coffee brands. It has chocolatey taste but it's a coffee. Being an IBO also helped me to get to know a lot of people. This business was introduced by my Japanese friend whom I met through Tinder. I said okay to him when he invited me to go to an opportunity meeting in Makati. Since I can speak and understand a bit Japanese we became at ease right away. As month goes by, I am continuously knowing further what really Amway is. This company also promotes healthy lifestyle not only by using their products but also making an activity like fun run. It was a notification via text from Amway which made me interested to go to the Head Office. I took a picture of the announcement and tagged this to my friends/colleagues. Everyone agreed to join so I brought a lot of registration forms in the office. It was so perfect that when I finalized it I was able to get 5 on the go friends. I took advantage on the 5 plus 1(free) runner promo. Since majority agreed that the 6th will be our colleague also who is a legit runner and trainer I went to Amway office again to submit our registration forms and pay. My friend said the registration was lower than a normal fee(P500 up also depends on kms) in a fun run. We paid P350 each it include shirt, bib and car sticker. Unexpectedly I had sore throat that time and cold. I know you can relate. Right? Why is it more often than not worst happenings come on special days? Like on your birthday your unwell or you have reunion but you can't go because you're in the office. I went to Healthway Makati after to get prescription. Luckily, after a day with rest and on time taking of medicines I felt I was already 70% recovered so I jogged near our place for more than 30 minutes. I was pretty sure fit to run. So let the run begin!

Photo Credit: Running Photographers This was taken during the run. I was with Uela(the one with a cap) and Wencie, our trainer all throughout the run. He was also our plus 1 and able to run for free but the consequence was to guide us during the run. He tagged this to me and my other colleagues when he checked the facebook page of running photographers. On behalf of my team just want to thank you for your extra effort in capturing this. I remember Wencie said if there's a camera just smile sadly it showed I was like unsure. See you on the next run.

Run for a Cause. One of the reasons I am sure why I also joined this event was to support the advocacy of Amway in donating a portion of our registration to Amway One by One Campaign for Children to be able to give good books. I have a five year old nephew and everytime I hear an advocacy for the better future of the children by giving books or building schools for them is like a shout straight to my ears saying "You need to help! " It is really inspiring to know that there is a company like Amway still know social responsibility and making their huge step for a better world for the next generation.(Photo Credit: Ise Fabillar)

We made the 10K! Finish Line. Technically it was less than 10KM since the organizer cut it already when we were on our 8KM, I was not sure why maybe because it was pouring. It took us 1 hour and thirty plus minutes. Wencie guided us by doing the 7 minutes run then 3 minutes brisk walk. He was also true, he said when we reached 2KM to 3KM we would feel the pain and exhaust. So we needed not to breath so much and he also said run but not fast. (from L-R: Uela, Me, Jasmin and Danica. Photo Credit: Wencie)

It was worth it! I know this was a wrong move. Being a first time runner in this kind of event make sure to choose 3KM or 5KM. It was painful though I sweat a lot and I loved it. You would not know what could happen. I was just thankful that I survived the muscle pain. I thought maximizing what we pay was ok. So, lesson learned. (Photo Credit: Ise Fabillar)

Green Team. I would like to thank my colleagues who are also my closest friends in the office for supporting me in making this happen. After the run, we went to the activity area. We got our drawstring bags. We took pictures, we tried amway powdered energy drink. We standed in the different lines of Artistry, Photobooth and Satinique for more than 2 hours for the freebies like tissues and foldable fan. We really enjoyed even if there were long queues. (Inserted: Ise in the middle. Photo Credit: Wencie)

Groupie first before we check the menu. I was already hungry and smelled my own sweat from my shirt. So we had breakfast before we went home.(Photo Credit: Ise Fabillar)

Hap Chan Tea House(Breakfast after a long run) It was my first time to eat in Hap Chan. One thing for sure if it's a chinese food I gotta eat here.(Photo Credit: Ise Fabillar)

Sweet and Sour Pork. Not because this one I ordered it's already a must try. But you know what? It's really good, I just hope that you add more rice for free when I get back.

                           Fried Spareribs with Salt and Pepper                           (Photo Credit:Ise Fabillar)

Congee with Century Egg
(Photo Credit: Ise Fabillar)

Beef Noodle
(Photo Credit: Ise Fabillar)

Hakaw
(Photo Credit: Ise Fabillar)

It was a productive morning. I really enjoyed the Amway Health Run and I am sure I will join other fun run this year. There were things happened unintentionally but with guts and motivation I remained a Winner! As I am ending this entry I just want to share this. "In Life, If you know what you are doing. You surely know what will be the result" I am also encouraging you to at least be part of one non profit organization you think you have the same advocacy. Support! Because nothing beats a helping hand.(Photos credits: Wencie, Ise and Me)

Quezon City: Sunrise in the Circle

Good Morning Sunshine! What comes in your mind when you see sunrise?  I remember when I attended a meeting before that talks about sales and marketing the speaker greeted us good morning even if it was already afternoon. He then said that saying good morning towards people has a positive impact. It's like you are opening door for a new beginning or another chance to someone. This keeps people become more motivated. I was really moved thereafter. It helped me to appreciate more what sunrise wants to convey to all of us. Whether you like it or not sun will rises in the bay. There's always a morning to expect. In our lives, in this generation now we become more impatient, we always want instant. We despair easily, we give up right away. I hope that everyone would widen their mind and strengthen their emotions. In our lives there's really a time that we will encounter sunset where we need to sleep and prepare so that when we wake up for another day we are ready and can face the sunrise. So, let us not lose hope, there's always a brighter morning. You know I am getting deep now but I hope you'd learn from it. "We can learn something in what is happening in our surroundings"


I'm Back! Welcome 2016! Ok, so it was almost 2 months since I posted my last entry on my blog and now I am super ready to post for more this year. I was busy at work and totally exhausted on these same old routine so to break it I am going back blogging. For my 7th entry it will be a flashback. Yes, Flashback! I guess because this entry suppose to be posted last year but due to procrastination this is the only and (maybe) perfect time that I'll be able share this. This happened after we had a staycation in Microtel Manila, my friend Rachel who lived in Quezon City convinced me to go on overnight with ate Che in their house, I was not sure at first but I decided to go with them afterwards. I still had 2 spare days that time since I was on vacation leave. My main purpose was because they told that we would run in U.P. (University of the Philippines) Diliman by morning the following day. They were concerned about me because I brought running shoes and sweat shirt. I thought I could go to the gym in Microtel but I have not seen any even stationary bicycle. They felt sorry on what they said. Really sorry for me too. But I appreciated how they pacified me though. We slept early that's why we succeeded to wake up roughly 5 am. When my super loved friends Rachel and Ate Che woke up, at the very last minute said that we would run in "Circle" instead. I just agreed and said "eitherway, is ok"

When I ran in Quezon Memorial Circle. We went there almost 7 in the morning, sun was really bright but not hot which is really perfect time to run and get sweat.I indeed love running.That was my first, to spend in a long span of time in the circle. It was also my 2nd time to go there.My first was back in our high school fieldtrip. Quezon City though it's still in Metro Manila I find it really far. Circle is also a perfect place to run. I would surely go If I'm near there. It is a well maintained national park surrounded by trees.

Memorable picture of the sunrise behind this mausoleum. I was really trying hard in photography and I think this shot was good.





National Shrine. This very distinct mausoleum where you can see inside the remains of our 2nd official Phillipine President.

My closest friends Ate Che and Rachel (Me in the middle) As if I really know how to bike lol 😁😆 But I really tried at first it's just that it really didn't work, so why self flagellate. I also missed them.

A Three Wheeler for me. Sadly, I was one of the kids in 90's who did not get a chance to learn how to bike (two wheeler) so this was the result of my innocence. This was one of the activities we did in the circle. We rented each 100 pesos for an hour. I enjoyed it and really sweat alot.

Coconut Juice to energize. One of the important things in running is to restore fluid in your body to keep you up.We had also a chance to go in an area where there were different gym equipments you can use to improve a specific part of your body. It was like an outdoor gym, those were unique for me since that was my first time to see those.





We ate street foods in U.P. Diliman. Before we went back home, we had a short visit in sunken garden in U.P. to eat siomai and fruit shake.


And this is how I would like to end this. Well, I may not have enough knowledge about the history of Quezon Memorial Circle or U.P. Diliman but one thing I can guaranty is I gained memories here.  From that sunrise to running. From riding a three wheeler to eating street foods again in U.P. Looking forward to go here again!