This holiday is a yearly tradition that pulls people from all over the world to celebrate. The Chinese New Year is observed by numerous Chinese communities throughout the world, including those in the Philippines.
IS CHINESE NEW YEAR A HOLIDAY IN THE PHILIPPINES?
The day of the lunar new year is not a public holiday in the Philippines. It takes place on Sunday, Most companies in the Philippines are open as usual.
Chinese New Year is often observed as a special, non-working holiday by the Philippine government.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Chinese community in the Philippines organizes parades, lantern festivals at nearby temples, lion and dragon dances, and other events as part of the festivities.
Filipinos usually flock to Binondo for the Chinese New Year to participate in special events like the Dragon Dances and fireworks as well as to purchase tikoy and other Chinese delicacies.
Visitors from all over the world join in the celebrations.
FILIPINO-CHINESE NEW YEAR TRADITIONS
The Chinese community follows a number of traditions and ceremonies during the Chinese new year. Giving money to kids in red envelopes is a frequent custom. Red paint is used to cover all of the doors and windows, while paper puppets and red lanterns line the streets.
CHINESE NEW YEAR FOODS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Several dishes are consumed during the Chinese New Year due to their symbolic significance. Lucky foods are offered throughout the festive periods, but especially on New Year’s Eve during the Chinese New Year banquet, which is believed to bring great fortune for the upcoming year.
- Tikoy or Glutinous rice cake
- Whole Fish
- Whole Chicken
- Dumplings
- Rice Balls
- Spring Rolls
- Pansit or Noodles
- Shrimp
- Vegetables
- Fruits such as Pomoles, Pineapple and Oranges
- Hopia
- Sweets
- Peanuts and Seeds
WHY IS CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATED IN THE PHILIPPINES
Filipino-Chinese communities celebrate Lunar New Year every year in the Philippines in an effort to bring harmony, good fortune, and tighter family relationships. The emphasis of the New Year’s celebration is on letting go of the negative and the outdated and welcoming in the positive and the fresh. Worshipping ancestors, casting out devils, and praying for abundant harvests are also all practiced.
