Chinese New Year Celebration in Philippines 2012

Chinese New Year is generally celebrated in the month of January / February in mostly Chinese speaking countries. Philippines is a country where this New Year is

celebrated with pomp and show. This Southeast Asian country has a significant population of Chinese living in its different parts. Chinese New Year celebration in Philippines 2012 is known for its grandness and grandeur.

Also known as Lunar New Year this event is celebrated by the Chinese Filipinos in the month of late January and early February. It is in fact the most significant occasion of the Chinese community living in this country. The festival does not have a fixed date; in 2012 it is likely to be held on 23rd January. Lunar New Year celebrations in Philippines, 2012, stretch to almost 15 days. Each day is marked by different events and observations.

History of Chinese New Year Celebration in Philippines

Chinese has been living in this country even before the 15th century. The Chinatown of Philippines is the ancient most Chinese community in the entire world. It was established back in the year 1594. With the shops, eateries, bazaars, temples, the Chinatown depicts a ‘small China’in Philippines. In the present day, nearly four million Chinese Filipinos inhabit in throughout the country that amount to 5 % of the total population of the country.

Customs of Chinese New Year Celebration in Philippines, 2012

The celebrations of the Chinese New Year in Philippines follow a lot of traditional customs and rituals.

Lion and dragon dance

Both dragon and lion dance parades is an integral part of the celebrations. The different part of the place, where there is significant presence of Chinese, witness the lively and colorful lion and dragon dance.

While the body of the dragon is longer and needs to be controlled by more than eight people, the body of lion is shorter in comparison and usually requires two dancers. The dancers in the front hold the head of the lion and makes it eyes blink and ear wiggle.

The parade of the lion and dragon dance is really a visual treat. Ang Pao is hanged in the entrance of every household which is picked by the lion dancers while dancing. Ang Paos are tiny red envelopes that are filled with ‘good luck money’.

Red envelopes

Giving away red envelops which is considered to be a symbol of luck and wealth is one of most traditional customs of this event. Red is regarded as the luckiest color and during this time, each and every Chinese Filipinos dress in red. The red envelopes are generally given to children by their grandparents.

Food

Food is an integral part of celebrations of Lunar New Year. One of the most principal dishes cooked during this time is ‘Tikoy’which is made from sticky rice.

Fireworks

New Year celebration is incomplete without fireworks. It is believed that noise wards off evil or bad spirits and for this reason fireworks are very symbolic with Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year Celebration in Manila

Like the others parts of Philippines, Chinese New Year is celebrated elaborately in the capital city, Manila. It is a major event for in Manila. The different regions of the capital city celebrate Chinese New Year with much vigor and grandeur. One of the major events of Lunar New Year celebration in Manila is held in the Binondo region. A big parade that features a 228 feet Manila Chinatown Millennium Dragon is organized in this region. The big dragon is followed by two small dragons, two southern and northern lions, two unicorns, nine carps and a phoenix.

Apart from the parade, the culinary delights that are served all over Manila, especially in the Binondo region is something not to be missed.

Decorations for Chinese New Year in Philippines

During the time of New Year, all the Chinese Filipinos engage in decorating the house doors mainly with red scrolls and red paper lanterns. Blooming plants and flowers that are symbols of renewal and life are found in each and every household.

Significance of Chinese New Year celebration in Philippines

For the community of Filipino-Chinese, Lunar New Year is symbolic of prosperity, peace and family ties.

Last Updated on 01/11/2012