Metro Manila

Chinese New Years Food

Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)

Metro Manila

FOOD (Chinese New Year)

As with everything in the Philippines and in the Chinese community, food plays a big part of the celebration and traditions. According to Fernandez, the dining table should have fresh fruits like pomelo, orange, apple, pineapple, and banana, as well as sweet candies and peanuts. The rice container should be full and should contain lucky money, P168, placed inside an angpao. This symbolizes “road to prosperity”. On top of the rice container, put red carrots, celery, spring onions, and lotus root. “This means the family will always have food to eat and there will be harmony,” Fernandez said. Specifically, the celery and spring onions mean members of the family will be hardworking and clever.

Aldric Dalumpines suggests hanging 12 grapes on every doorway or windows. These signify 12 months of blessings, he says. Pineapples should also be placed on top of tables for prosperity alongside 12 round fruits. “13 if you want a bonus,” adds Dalumpines. Glutinous rice cakes like puto and tikoy should be served with dim sum specialties like shui mai (siomai). There should be full-bodied chicken or Peking duck for family harmony, roasted pig, and full fish. When the fish is served, it should face the breadwinner of the family. Chinese restaurants like the Paksin Tea House and ThePeking Garden (Tel: +632/ 901 0502 or 901 0507) serve these specialties. Goldilocks sells good puto while tikoy is not hard to find in Binondo. For the best hopia, try Eng Bee Tin (Tel: +632/ 242 9765; url: www.engbeetin.com) on Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila.

Lucky Food

AMULETS, CHARMS

Amulets Charm

Hippo Guard 

The Robbery Star is in the center of the feng shui chart, shares Fernandez. The best amulet to counter this is to put the Hippo Guard at the center of the house. For personal safety and good health, carry the Safety Medallion and the Health Medallion. For those who are in conflict with the Tai Suey, wearing the Jade Master Protection Pendant counters the negative energies of the year. These items are available at Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati (Tel: +632/752 5882). Dalumpines recommends wearing the Arowana Ring, a silver ring that increases luck in money and health. The Blue Rhinoceros will protect the household from burglary. There are also generic Safety Medallions, Health Medallions and Jade Master Protection Pendants that can be bought at Lucky Charms by Lady and Hans Cua at G/F, Shangri-La EDSA Mall. Contact Dalumpines at +63915/ 808 0168 or visit www.punsoy.com for more.

Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)

Metro Manila

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year starts on February 3 this year, the first day of the new moon, ushering in the year of the golden rabbit.

For most Chinese communities in the Philippines the start of the year is celebrated for 15 days and most rituals and traditions associated with it strictly observed. The best time to see the festival in its full glory is on the first day of the festival where a grand parade featuring a 228-feet Manila Chinatown Millennium Dragon followed by two smaller dragons, two southern and northern lions, two unicorns, nine carps, and a phoenix pass through the streets of Binondo. The celebration ends with a Lantern Festival and fireworks display. Fireworks are used to drive away the evil spirit Nian, believed to be afraid of loud sounds. During the New Year, the dragon dance is the highlight of the celebration. Venerated in Chinese culture, the dragon is believed to ward off evil spirits. For dragon dance services, contact the Ling Nam Athletic Federation and the Golden Red Lion & Dragon group (Tel: +632/ 383 9400).

Kuang Kong Temple on Kipuja St., Binondo

Kuang Kong Temple on Kipuja St., Binondo

Temple visits are also practiced and the most popular is the Kuang Kong Temple on Kipuja St., Binondo. The temple is dedicated to the Chinese God of War and is known among businessmen in the district. It is located on the second floor and is open to the public. Visitors can take three incense sticks and offer them at the entrance of the temple. Another temple worth visiting is the artfully-decorated Santo Sing Kong Buddhist Church on Morga St., Tondo. The temple has hundred little statues of Buddhist deities on wooden pillars. Guests can ask questions and get a written response. Try attending one of the diam king or the mass held every Sunday at 9am and 11am. The temple is open from 6am to 5pm. (Tel: +632/ 242 0086, 242 4804). There’s also the Seng Guan Temple on Narra St., Binondo and the Hsien Tiak Taoist Temple to visit if you want to go temple-hopping.

Before the Chinese New Year, houses and offices are thoroughly cleaned. According to Princess Lim Fernandez, the resident feng shui expert of the Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony at the Mandarin Hotel, cleaning removes the bad luck from the old year, making it easier to welcome the good fortune of the coming year. Other traditions include wearing newly-bought clothes and donning a new hair style, visiting relatives to show filial piety and respect. When couples visit relatives, they normally bring gifts like a box of biscuits, chocolates or fruits, says Fernandez. Couples usually give angpao (lucky money) to the younger lot and to younger single relatives.

Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)

Metro Manila

Manila Ocean Park

Manila Ocean Park

This is another modern-day invention, an oceanarium cum shopping mall. Your kids get a taste of marine life without a trip to the sea and you get to do your weekend shop. The oceanarium, which opened earlier this year, o­ffers at least 46 water tanks replicating our underwater marine life plus a 25 meter walk along an underwater tunnel. For P150 per head you can go on a glass-bottom boat ride and if you are up to it, spend P120 on a fish spa that is if you fancy having Doctor Fish gently nibble away at your feet’s dead skin cells, leaving you with rejuvenated skin.

For inquiries, call: 02/ 567 7777 or fax: 02/ 567 2309.

Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)

Metro Manila

The China Syndrome

To celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit in real style, hop along to Manila’s vibrant and quirky Chinatown. Lei Chavez is your guide to the places, the food and the traditions.

The Traditional Dragon Dance

The Traditional Dragon Dance

Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)