By Bianca Marie France E. Viadan 

‘The Chinese New Year’ is a festivity for celebrating the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. It is associated with several customs and traditions within China. The celebration was embraced by locals living outside their country. People of various ethnicities also joyfully embraced the Chinese Tradition.

In the Philippines, celebrating Chinese New Year, also known as The Lunar New Year, has been embraced by Filipino people. This is because Filipinos like and love Chinese cuisine and incorporate the food into their own. Binondo, recognized as the World’s Oldest China Town, was established in 1594 in Manila, the Capital City of the Philippines.

The Lunar New Year celebration occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In 2025, it falls on the 29th day of January. The holiday is one of the most celebrated festivals around Southeast Asian countries. It is especially significant in the Philippines. We have come to learn how to include the Chinese Zodiac Signs Predictions each year. These predictions guide us in good fortune, health, career, relationships, and serve as precautions for another coming year.

Filipinos are known as hospitable, loving, and friendly people. Some of us celebrate Chinese New Year with our neighboring Chinese community of Binondo. Despite our differences, we can enjoy and witness the popular lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, and parade.

Do not worry about going hungry. If you are a foodie just like me, you can find amazing food around Binondo. There are traditional restaurants to explore. Some of the recommended places include President Grand Palace Restaurant. It serves authentic Chinese and seafood cuisine and is located on Ongpin street. There is also the Dong Bei Dumplings. They serve their famous handmade dumplings. They also offer the widely known xiao long bao, beefy noodles, and many more. Craving on some lumpia? Do visit New Po Heng Lumpia House where the best, flavorful and fresh lumpia can be found. We will not forget to taste and buy some pasalubong for our families at home. What is the best one? Few of the best places to find in town include the 18 flavors of Hopia found in the famous Eng Bee Tin. For over 50 years, Shanghai Fried Siopao and Hopia Bakery have been popular too. Salazar’s Bakery also offers a wide variety of Hopia, traditional pastries, freshly baked breads, and many more.

This festivity shows us that we share something important. We have many differences in ethnicity, customs, culture, tradition, and beliefs. We always have the same heart when celebrating the end of the coldest seasons of our lives. We embrace the spring that is to come while hoping for a better future. This hope and prayer are not only for ourselves but especially for the people we love.

May we always remind ourselves that we were inhabitants of one place where our home and loved ones are in. We may be born in different islands, territories with diverse beliefs, religions, cultures, and traditions. At the end of the day, we are the same people with the goal of protecting the people we love. May one day come when we will be united during the Holiday Celebrations. We will also be united as the same human beings. We were born with the same heart and mind to see what really matters for a better tomorrow.

Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:2

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