Already a busy street on a regular day, festivities were taken several notches higher in Binondo during the Lunar New Year.

Manila's Binondo, arguably the country's most popular Chinatown, was bustling with activity Tuesday night as people, many donning red, flocked to the capital city to welcome the Chinese New Year with good food, souvenirs, and loved ones.

Red lanterns lined the street while charcoal smoke from several grills wafted in the air, mixing with the strong smells of Chinese cuisine. Bright lights from cheap toys grabbed the attention of little children as booming music from loud speakers forced vendors to whisper-shout their prices to haggling customers.  

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The crowd was not for the faint-hearted. People jostled for space while trying to take photos of and with performers. On the sidewalk, long lines formed for the usual Chinese fare such as tikoy and hopia. Hectic for sure but still festive, tempers kept from flaring by the overall upbeat mood. 

More than a kilometer away, people offered prayers at the Seng Guan Temple in Tondo, Manila. Others though came just to watch dragon and lion dancers, believed to attract good luck.

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At the stroke of midnight, the Manila sky lit up as people cheered the fireworks and drone show over Jones Bridge to cap off the celebrations.

The revelry continued in the afternoon with a grand float parade.

Hundreds, if not thousands, gathered in various streets around Binondo not just to watch colorful floats but even more so to catch the trinkets, giveaways and Chinese angpao (money envelope) from the floats.

Members of the Filipino Chinese youth are hopeful the year of the wooden snake would bring unity and prosperity.

“Sana everybody. Sana mas maunlad yung mga negosyo natin. Sana mas maraming income natin,” said Steve Chua, Vice President of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Associations of the Philippines’ Youth Committee.

While the Chinese New Year is usually filled with a list of things to do and not to do for good luck and prosperity, Feng Shui experts have repeatedly said that it should not be the sole basis for decision making.

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