Sunday, February 2, 2025

BRIDGING CULTURES

 Filipinos observe the celebration of Chinese New Year due to the strong influence of Chinese culture in the country, which dates back to centuries of trade and intermarriage between Chinese settlers and indigenous Filipinos. The event is celebrated with dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, red decorations symbolizing luck and prosperity, and the giving of ang pao (red envelopes with money) as a gesture of goodwill and blessings.

Traditional Chinese dishes such as tikoy (sticky rice cake) and dumplings are commonly shared among families and friends, symbolizing unity and good fortune. Many Filipino-Chinese communities uphold these traditions, and even non-Chinese Filipinos participate, seeing it as a way to attract good luck, success, and happiness for the coming year.

In the Philippines, Chinese New Year is also recognized as a special non-working holiday, allowing more people to join the festivities. Malls, schools, and businesses decorate their spaces with Chinese symbols and hold special promotions, reinforcing the integration of Chinese traditions into Filipino culture. The celebration highlights the Philippines’ rich cultural diversity and the enduring ties between Filipino and Chinese heritage.

Jan Milo Severo, 2024, philstar global

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