" 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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" Quiet "

靜 = at least that's what this Chinese character means.
we all need a bit of a pause from our hectic life and
sometimes, all we need is silence.
I was inside the car when it was raining and took this shot,
seen along the streets of tetuan here in downtown.

I hope you have a great weekend everyone. ^0^
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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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" Look at the dog "

amongst the narrow alleys, I chance upon this sight where poverty mostly lurks.




and as the dog was wagging its tail waiting for the owner to give him some treats.
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" A clear one "

Right in the heart of Ongpin ( downtown ), stands this old edifice,
like the casement windows, the fire escape railings and the embossed details
which was recently renovated.
If memory serves me right, there used to be an old newspaper bureau and a movie theatre.
Times have changed though, that 'P' red sign below now houses a chinese restaurant and seen above
is a federation called the Yongtan club with chinese inscriptions.


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" Smile! you're on camera "

Filipinos are known for their friendliness and hospitability,
Like this cheery guy I saw in the market the other week,
I wanted to take fotos of the veggies he's selling,
but when he saw me with my camera,
instead of turning his head the other way around or giving me a sour look like some people would,
he didn't hesitate to smile and said Hi!
to think I barely knew the guy. ^0^


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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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" 168 "

168 mall or literally: Yee lu fa (一路發) - means "One Road to Prosperity" is one of the largest mall in chinatown.
A well known hub where you can find affordable and cheap what nots.
Head to downtown and ask any driver to drop you off at this place and I'm sure they're familar with it.

Once inside be sure to know where you're headed because you might get lost.



It's the one stop shop of literally, anything and everything that you need and more.
It's also where you'd find the cheapest things when it comes to fashion, trinkets, furniture, toys etc, etc.

You'd go gaga at the items that are for sale because they're just too many to choose from, although they tend to be repetitive.
Of course, when the word Sale is mentioned, be prepared to haggle and negotiate on a good price.


If only i can get more interesting shots inside, I promise to show you more next time.

Till I hear it from you - Gin Blossoms

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" What's in a name? "

They look like block of wood chips and surprisingly, placed outside the street, to absorb heat of the sun.
Well, these are actually local chinese herbs that can only be find in Chinatown specifically at Chinese drugstores where it's readily available.

Now, the name may sound a bit out of the ordinary, but
It's a common herb called Dong Shan (黨參) or とじん in japanese.
No Filipino term for it unfortunately.



It taste sweet and neutral.
It's mostly concocted with other natural herbs that serves as a tonic or
If you're making a homemade soup or broth, you can just easily add a stick or two.

Dong Shan improves digestive and body function,
it's anti-fatigue as it stimulates the nervous and immune system.



Ps: the shadowy figure is my arm holding out the camera. ^0^

Portishead- Numb

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" ...And I said... and He said... "

I suppose laying down on motorbikes isn't faux pas,
They seem unmindful to their surroundings.
Now that's what I call living the life! ^0^

melody: Cayman Island - Kings of Convenience

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" All over again "

Along my walks to Chinatown.


I evidently caught 3 different versions of a street sign named "Ongpin".



is this a little too much? ^0^



melody: That's not my name- the tingtings

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" I've got the Monday Blues "

= along Chinatown, seen outside a chinese resto, early in the morning.
I don't know why she's pouting but she's certainly gazing at my direction.
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" My side of the Hood "

an ordinary neighborhood in Manila.
you've got tarpaulin, tons of rags and washed clothes,
some potted plants and what nots.
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" Fil-Chi Friendship Arch "

Another archway or Paifang (chinese) seen in downtown.
It welcomes you in this colorful looking architecture.
I preferably like this better, because it has added more details to it,
the dragon which indeed is the perfect symbolism of the Chinese,
the gabled roof and there's even a walkway built on top of it,
right in front of the writings.

It would be a good place though, for proclamation or inaugural purposes.
I hope they do.
Like many structures here, we tend to neglect things that are old.
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