Traditions That Bring Us Together

    Filipinos love celebrations and the Chinese New Year is not an exemption to this.  Despite the fact that Philippines is comprised of Christians, the long history of the Chinese-Filipino or what we call as the Tsinoys community has made this event a big part of local culture. Many Filipinos, even those who are not Chinese by blood, join in the celebration of the Chinese New Year, embracing the concepts of luck, prosperity, and a fresh start. It is even declared a special non-working holiday by the government, which shows how important it is to the country.

    During Chinese New Year, the streets are filled with dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, and lots of red decorations for good luck. Families gather to share special food, like tikoy or sticky rice cake for stronger bonds and noodles for long life. Many also believe that giving ang pao (red envelopes with money) brings blessings, especially for children. Even malls and businesses join the fun by having zodiac-themed sales and promotions, so the celebration becomes meaningful and exciting.

    It brings back the memories of a rich mix of cultures in the country and how Filipinos strongly bond with the Chinese-Filipino community. It's time for family, hope, and wishing for a better year ahead. Whether through a simple meal or a grand celebration, Filipinos have taken this tradition as their own, proving once again that any reason to celebrate is always welcome in the Philippines.

References:

Sage Brown. (n.d.). Snake Chinese New Year 2025 image. Retrieved from     https://sagebrown.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/snake.jpg?v=1731327100

Julia Charles Event Management. (2023, December). Chinese lanterns for Chinese New Year 2024     events. Retrieved from https://www.juliacharleseventmanagement.co.uk/wp-                                       content/uploads/2023/12/Chinese-Lanterns-1024x576.jpg

GetGo. (2025). Chinese New Year 2025 image. Retrieved from https://getgo.sg/wp-   content/uploads/2025/01/chinese_new_year_2025-1.jpg