Chinatown Manila - Kiong Hee Huat Chai! This greeting we mostly hear during chinese new year especially if you're living in Chinatown or part of the Filipino-Chinese community. I remember when I was a kid I used to hear also "Kung Hei Fat Choi!"(well, even today). I also saw a post online "Gong Xi Fa Cai!". It sounds strange at first but later on you'll get used to it. But the question is, do you understand it? Pretty much it's just a chinese version of the greeting "Happy New Year!". However, just this week I read that the greeting is more of "Congratulations and wishing you prosperity". I think that's much better though. In the Philippines, having a chinese blood is not really a prerequisite to celebrate lunar new year. Because of the centuries-old ties with the chinese, filipinos already learned to embrace their culture and traditions. Most of the chinese people living in Chinatown Manila came from Fujian, one of the provinces in China. They speak with their hokkien dialect that's why they always say that it's appropriate to say "Kiong Hee Huat Chai" than "Kung Hei Fat Choi" since it's a cantonese dialect or "Gong Xi Fa Cai", a mandarin dialect, China's official language. Now I know! So let's start to greet our chinese friends correctly.
Like what I said many times that chinese people has a special place in my heart because I love their food. Yes! The pork dumplings! Oh my I'm craving again. I had visited Chinatown Manila many times. But one thing I noticed is it's much better to go a day before chinese new year's eve, preferrably morning to avoid sea of people. There's a lot to buy and it is truly festive. Definitely since it only happens once a year why not grab the opportunity and visit here. So that's what we did. It was only like 3 hours stroll around Chinatown Manila but my eyes were totally pleased. Wanna know why? I have 4 reasons and let's start with.
1. Pray For Prosperity, Burn Incense And The Lucky Charms
I'm not chinese but everytime I go in Chinatown Manila I do this first. Like in Catholic religion where people light a candle and pray. Chinese people do this too but they burn incense. Because of colonization, do you know that most Filipino-Chinese or "Tsinoys" are catholics too? That's why it's no longer strange to see a cross in their altar.
It's the year of fire rooster! Like what most of us say "I claim it as my year". Well I really hope. Chinese traditions are very colourful like the more well-known chinese astrology, red is the lucky color, "Feng Shui", display 12 kinds of round fruits on the table on new year's eve, lucky charms and a lot more. I'm not a fan of these beliefs but one thing I can say If there's no wrong with it then follow it. We passed shopper's mart as we walked toward Ongpin Street and I recommend this place not only for buyers of lucky charms or displays but also chinese costumes with a very fair and reasonable price from 600-800 pesos(12-16USDollars).
2. Take A Selfie With The Largest Tikoy In the Philippines
This is a photo from Eng Bee Tin facebook page. Before anything else, this is the main reason why I visited Chinatown Manila this lunar new year. You know why? Because of their very large and unusual "Tikoy"(glutinous rice). It's indeed only in the Philippines. This I can say one of the best reasons why it's much better to stroll around here on chinese new year. It's only viewable for this occasion. I featured this home of the best chinese sweets and delicacies before and they are still first on my list. One inspiring thing about them is the owners of this literally yummy company are fire volunteers and their earnings are being used to buy fire trucks. And that's to serve the community effectively and efficiently.
Do you know that this "Largest Tikoy in the Philippines" weighs 331 pounds, 6 inches thick and 36 inches in diameter? Amazing, right? You can check them on www.engbeetin.com
3. Very Festive Dragon And Lion Dance
You will not feel Chinatown Manila if you did not witness a dragon and lion dance. Most of the time you will see them on special occasions like the chinese new year.
They believed that dragon brings luck to the community so the longer the dragon the better. The ball on the stick that the dragon follows represents "Pearl of Wisdom".
In every dragon dance there is a lion dance. Sadly, I got hit by a firecraker on my arm but still good thing not really bad. Make sure to don't get close too much while they are performing.
4. Lucky Chinatown Mall
This shopping mall just opened last 2012 but it didn't fail to be the "Talk of the Town". I find this mall a bit small but very elegant. What I love about them is they showcase different chinese traditions every lunar new year. Like everything you need to know about chinese culture.
Look at the jaw-dropping lanterns on the ceiling.
More chinese lanterns will welcome you outside.
I haven't seen a somewhat ancient chinese rickshaw even before it was only when we visited Lucky Chinatown Mall last week. I was not sure if this was just a display or if it's rideable(I hope). For sure this will boost the local tourism because of its unique and sophisticated look.
If this prosperity tree literally are gold coins I don't know if I can't still take a beautiful photo of it. Chinese people always believe in good fortune and abundance of wealth. Me too! So this kind of display is definitely a must-see for your "Chinese History 101".
Wishing Buddha is so cute! Truly "Buddha" has an infectious smile. It is identified as one who has achieved enlightenment. They say that if you rub the tummy of "Buddha" it will invite wealth and good luck. If long ears it will bring wisdom.
If they are your Godparents I would be very jealous. How lucky you are? They are "Fu Lu Shou" or "The Three Star Gods" . They represent good fortune, happiness, prosperity and longevity.
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