Nónglì xīnnián kuàilè

Whenever Chinese New Year comes along, the streets are always flooded with colorful lanterns, and the boom of firecrackers is a sign that people are celebrating joyfully. The Chinese New Year is a holiday that is observed in the Philippines, even though it is a tradition that originated in China. Why do Filipinos celebrate it, despite having a small Chinese population in the Country?

The Philippines and China have a long history of cultural connections that date back to before the arrival of the Spaniards. Since Chinese traders brought their culture to the Philippines, several of their practices have become part of the everyday life of Filipinos. The Chinese New Year is one of the long-lasting customs that the Chinese have passed down to the people of the Philippines.

Chinese New Year is a time for Filipinos to express their hopes for good luck. Many Chinese-Filipino families continue to observe traditions such as distributing ang pao (red envelopes holding money), creating tikoy (round rice cakes), and displaying round fruits that signify prosperity. People from other ethnic backgrounds also follow these traditions in order to attract good fortune and success in the upcoming year.

The Chinese New Year is not just a festival of and for the Chinese. In places like Binondo, which is the oldest Chinatown in the world, there are large festivals that include dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and marketplaces. These celebrations bring together Filipinos from all classes and ethnic backgrounds, creating a sense of unity. Although Chinese New Year started with the Chinese, its excitement and passion are felt by the entire community, not just the Chinese.

 

The Chinese New Year is also an important event for the economy of the Philippines. During the Chinese New Year season, Filipino and Chinese businessmen take the time to think about their business and make plans for the upcoming year. Malls and other companies run incentives to draw shoppers, which increases economic oppurtunities and spreads the culture of the Chinese New Year throughout the country.

The way that Filipinos celebrate Chinese New Year shows that they are open-minded and that they appreciate various cultures. Filipinos celebrate the customs of their fellow Chinese Filipinos, much as they do their own Christmas and New Year celebrations. In this way, the Chinese New Year is not only a celebration of a specific ethnicity, but also a celebration of the diversity and unity of the entire nation.

To sum it up, the Chinese New Year is celebrated not just by the Chinese, but by the entire population of the Philippines. Filipino culture has incorporated traditions that originated in China. Filipinos get the chance to join together and celebrate good fortune, friendship, and wealth during the Chinese New Year through customs such as pao, tikoy, and community events. This festival represents the open-mindedness of Filipinos in embracing diversity and unity, even when there are cultural differences.

 

References:

www.blogger.com   

( IMAGES ) 

• People (2024). Year of the Dragon image [Photograph]. People. https://people.com/thmb/JyE3_wRjlG6r3jlsVPgl0gbVXJ0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/year-of-the-dragon-020624-tout-f82b60115a9d462dbf2a40256e40c7ae.jpg
• Philstar (2020). Chinese New Year celebration image [Photograph]. Philstar. https://media.philstar.com/photos/2020/01/23/cny_2020-01-23_10-56-18.jpg
• Squarespace (n.d.). Chinese zodiac character design [Digital illustration]. Squarespace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64905b55d2da1763d70b05d0/e9a19ae2-adae-4af0-a820-963204724070/30.png
• GMA News (2022). Chinese New Year decorations and celebrations [Photograph]. GMA News. https://images.gmanews.tv/webpics/2022/01/Cover_photo_2022_01_25_12_45_08.jpeg 

( INFORMATION ) 

• Asia Society Philippines. (n.d.). Chinese New Year celebrated in the Philippines. Asia Society. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://asiasociety.org/philippines/chinese-new-year-celebrated-philippines
• Island Pacific. (n.d.). Filipino-Chinese traditions for Lunar New Year. Island Pacific Market. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://islandpacificmarket.com/blogs/blogs/filipino-chinese-traditions-for-lunar-new-year
• Harvard Divinity School. (n.d.). Chinese in the Philippines. Religious Literacy Project. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/chinese-philippines
• Minority Rights Group International. (n.d.). Chinese in the Philippines. Minority Rights Group International. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://minorityrights.org/communities/chinese-5/
• Cebu Daily News. (2025, February 3). Chinese New Year 2025: 8 traditions practiced for the Spring Festival. Cebu Daily News. Retrieved from https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/619422/chinese-new-year-2025-8-traditions-practiced-for-the-spring-festival