" Binondo Church "

I have showed you Binondo church several times already, its exterior and interior,
this time though, the light was better, sadly though, my camera wasn't. ^0^
I somehow couldn't get the white balance right using a p*s.



I can't help looking up and see these wonderful depicted paintings of Christ and Mother Mary,not your usual trompe-l'oeil though.

warning: intentionally tilted the foto




Although, not your usual church goer,
I like visiting churches and appreciate how historic or modern it used to be.



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" What happened during CNY "

Part II

now everything's in vertical mode.

lucky charms displayed.


local vendor selling Everlasting flowers.


more gilded charms...








busy street...


fruits that bring luck...

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" What happened during CNY "

Hi Guys! back to Manila again.
I haven't been out and about lately, in fact, I still have lots of fotos from last year.
But last week, I made sure that I have to visit Chinatown and see what's happening.



Here are some of the random shots.











chinese wines for sale also.



It was clearly livelier and more festive than last year,
I was surprised to see hordes of people, even tourists wandering about,









some of the locals even brought their cameras with them,
which is something you don't see everyday.
I think, pinoys are beginning to accept it as part of their special day as well and
they are more curious than ever unlike before, it's usually a snob.
In fact, there are more vendors selling this and that,
to the point of occupying the streets of the pedestrians.








The most was either these "lucky charms" or "properity fruits" that bring good luck.
Pinoys tend to be superstitious. ^0^

and in fact, it was only this year that CNY was officially declared as a special holiday. ^0^
a smile for me as I get an extra day off again! ^-^





chinese caps, gilded trinkets, the laughing buddha, even angry birds! ^0^





Although, I don't really follow these traditions like we used to,
I missed those times when we only have a simple get together dinner at my grandma's house
with cousins and relatives, eat noodles,lumpia and more, and then, exchange red packets and
celebrate it till midnight.
Nowadays, it gets a bit boisterous and flamboyant,
non-stop lion/dragon performances here and there and lots of fireworks
and of course,
the famous sticky rice cake (Tikoy) fever. ^0^

and lots of balloons this year,
can't help taking fotos of them.
I can be a kid sometimes. ^0^
I like the smurfs though, cute right?!
100 pesos each, more or less 2$. ^0^







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" Angela Building "

another dilapidated tenement across the commercial district seen along Recto.
What's evident though, was the printed signage that perfectly marked how old this structure was.
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" Yutivo Building "

Many of the locals here might have looked through this structure,
hardly noticing what this edifice looks like.
Located along Dasmariñas, named after its owner called Yutivo.
Hard to believe that this one's been here since 1920's,
hence, the art deco-ish inspired architecture.



I would´ve like to shot the whole thing,
but during the day the street gets busy and much to preserving its decor,
there has been this obtrusive signs hanging out.




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" Roman Ongpin "

The statue of Roman Ongpin stands right at the heart of Chinatown and beside Binondo Church.
Known for being a patriot and a philanthropist.
Roman Ongpin was a true Manileno at heart.
Born on February 28, 1847.
He joined a lot of propaganda, fighting for the rights of Filipinos.
He was jailed for conspiracy during the war between the Spaniards and the Americans,
but was also released after.
He became the president for Casa Asilo de Invalidos, La proteccion de la Infancia
and Gota de leche to name a few.
He died on the 10th of Decembre 1912.



and finally in 1915, a street was named after him as Ongpin. st. here in Binondo.
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" San Lorenzo Ruiz "

who is Lorenzo Ruiz ?



He's a well-loved patron saint and a martyr,
the first to be canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1987 and
here in Binondo around the circle stands his statue.

Taken from The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz website :

" San Lorenzo had a Chinese father and Tagalog mother who lived in the Parian district of Manila.
In 1636, Ruiz was implicated in a murder.
He sought help from his Dominican superiors .
Initially, Ruiz thought he was being sent to Taiwan, where he believed his Chinese roots would enable him to start a new life.
Little did he know that he and the missionary expedition led by Fray Domingo Ibanez was actually headed for Nagasaki, Japan, where feudalism was fanning the flames of Christian persecution.
Lorenzo Ruiz was headed straight into the arms of death. "

Beside the statue is also another commemorative monument in remembrance to those patriots who served the country.


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" Philtrust Building "

This is one of the few art-nouveau inspired buildings left in this area
and in this particular side, the details are nice to look at.




as always, I don't have an inkling about its history but
thanks to a blog called the Thrifty Traveller. I found some useful info about it.

This is the Uy Chaco Building built in the 1920s and is a branch of
Philtrust Bank since 1950.
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" A dime a dozen "

In a quiet alley around Binondo at the corner of Plaza Cervantes is this aged dilapidated structure,



I couldn't find anything specific about it except for this emblematic plaque that's left behind.



it seems to be a bank or some insurance company, what used to be the main business hub in this district.



Much has changed through the years though.


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" circa "

I don't know how to describe this picture.
you know, how sometimes there are so much words running through your mind,
but when you start blogging it just went blank?!
I do! ^-^

I just like how the Kutsero (Coachman) blended well with his carriage,
with the swirls and yellow.
Not the usual Calesa you'd see on the street, this one's larger and much
old looking.
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" in monochrome "

the usual scenario along carvajal street in chinatown,
an alleyway that converts into a small marketplace and most of the time,
can be quite crowded.
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" gong xi fa cai "

Let's welcome the Chinese New year as the clock strikes 12.
Hello year of the Rabbit.




As always, the streets here in Chinatown in every nook and alley have been filled with people, gift goodies, lucky charms, tons of non-stop lion dance as the celebration continues till the end of the week.
While the government didn't think fit it to be a holiday,
the Chinese communities are looking forward to it.
Surprisingly though, a lot of Filipinos are also anticipating it as well.

and yes, color Red and the fiery Dragon is official.

ps: don't forget to ask for Red packets from grannies and aunties. ^-^

you can learn more about its festivities and cultures
here. ^0^

and here are some fotos around Ongpin and Binondo.



a Ginger root or Gabi root tied with red ribbons are also considered lucky.



it also comes in pots.



vendors and their display..,



and to bring luck and prosperity all year round,
one must hang this trinket in front of their door.

how about you?
did you celebrate it in your neck of the wood as well? ^0^
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" Theme day: Fountain "

For this month's theme day event I decided to show you a glimpse of the Plaza around Chinatown.
The Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz is named after a patron saint, where two fountains are located. Behind it is the famous Binondo church.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
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