Sunday, February 18, 2007
WELCOMING THE YEAR OF THE PIG
According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in the Year of the Pig are tenacious and attend to their tasks with great strength. They love to study and gain much pleasure in developing their intellectual capacity.Their fortitude and straighforwardness provide them with a determination that knows no retreat. They're not into any sort of popularity contests; therefore, not very good in making friends, but the few they have are friends for life. They are quick-temepered, though they shy away from any quarrrels. They are very kind to their loved ones and to those they treasure as friends.
They are also good in working out any differences and no matter how grave a problem is, they're able to work things out amicably amongst those involved.
And what better way to welcome the Year of the Pig than to be at Manila's Chinatown. Its streets were filled with the deafening sounds of kettle drums and firecrackers while various groups perform the colorful and mesmerizing lion and dragon dances. There were also loads of tikoy of various flavors, fruits, and a dizzying array of good luck charms.
I was there last Saturday and was pleasantly surprised to run into a couple of fellow bloggers -- Sidney, Anton and Ivan Henares. I joined them for some dimsung before heading back out in the streets to take some pictures of the merriment as featured below.
Labels: Binondo, Chinese New Year, Manila Chinatown
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:56 PM
28 Comments:
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said... Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Gong Xi Fai Cai!
Happy Chinese New Year, Eric! Beautiful shots you got here!-
Señor Enrique said... Thanks, Rhoda ... Happy Year of the Pig!!!
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said...
Once again, another great shots! Kiong Hee Huat Chai! :)
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said...
very colorful shots.
i find it interesting how the Chinese describe each year, and what characteristics those born in a particular year bear. i find it amusing at the same time. some are true, some are not.-
Belle TH said...
Happy Chinese New Year! Thanks for sharing us these colorful and festive Chinese New Year celebration
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Anton said...
Happy New Year Senor Enrique. Lets meet again some time....
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Sidney said...
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
It was nice meting you again in Binondo!
Cool shots!-
said...
Where else can you get these great celebration shots except in Binondo ! Man, I haven't been to Binondo in yeeeeears!
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said...
buti nagkita kita kayo... nice pics of the celebration... :)
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said...
Oh, what fun! Happy Chinese New Year Eric! I like the way you play with angles. :)
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Akira Liwanag said...
saw your blog. nice photos!! si akira po ito.. remember?? you can check out my blog too..
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sunkissed said...
kung hei fat choi! i miss chinese new year in the philippines coz filipinos, even if they're not chinese at all, celebrate it! i'm looking forward to this year. Goats will be lucky this year..yey!
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carlotta1924 said...
kiong hee huat chai and kung hei fat choi and gong xi fa cai to you! =)
the festivities looked... very festive. wih i had thought of going there on saturday insted of sunday hehehe. mr. ube has a new resto over in ongpin, with a free picture taken with a lion.-
Señor Enrique said...
Many thanks, LAR -- wishing you a great Chinese New Year as well!
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Señor Enrique said...
Hing Bing! Better we take it just like the western horoscope -- as entertainment, or just take the good and focus on it :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Do you hve a large chinatown where you are, Belle. The one in New York City gets a little crazy during this time of the year with excessive lighting of of firecrackers to the point of annoyance and danger.
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi Anton! It was indeed a pleasure to have met you and your wife! I plan to join one of your popular food trips :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi Sidney! It was such a wonderful surprise, really! Thanks for the dimsun :)
It would have been a perfect afternoon had it it wasn't for that kid dragging that backpack on wheels ... hehehe.-
Señor Enrique said...
When you come back, BW, I suggest The President Restaurant before anything else! The best dimsun :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Lino! Nakaktuwa nga at I finally met Anton and Ivan!
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Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Toe! I'm sure you had a similar celebration in Cambodia, huh?
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi Akira! I was over to check out your blog and I was deeply impressed by your talent as a photojournalist ... and at such a very young age. You are so fortunate to have a wonderful mentor -- your dad!
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Señor Enrique said...
Do you have a Chinese New Year celebration where you are, G.Knotee? As I've mentioned, in NYC, it gets to be hair-raising experience because of the incredible amount of people ligting firecrackers out in the streets. Here in Manila is more tamed than expected.
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Señor Enrique said...
The ubiquitous Mr. Ube whom I suspect will soon own most of Binondo with his great success :)
Yes, wish you were there last Saturday, Carla. I'm sure you would've enjoyed meeting those fellow bloggers of ours!-
said...
Hey! Ang saya! I was also planning to go there pero me sumabay eh. And I didn't know it was a Sat celebration, my friend was there on Sunday. Well anyway I'll prepare for next year's. Hahaha. Buti nagkitakita kayo :D
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reyd said...
With all your good deeds and wonderful interests in life, may the Year of the PIG bring you all the wonderful things in life.
Kung Hei Fat Choy!
Pasensiya na lang sa mga lechon that will consumed thru this festivities. :D-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Ferdz! Tito was in Intramuros that Saturday afternoon, but I was already on my way home he sent me an SMS message.
You know, we really have to get our act together and organize an informal photoblogger EB and spend an afternoon chatting about photography and maybe a bit of shooting also. Heard Tito is quite good in organizing.
It'll be fun, I assure you guys :)-
Señor Enrique said...
I was thinking of you ReyD while I enjoyed that afternoon in Ongpin. I thought about what the neighborhood was like during Chinese New Year's eve when you were a young kid.
I wish you the same and more for the Year of the Pig!
