With fireworks and dragon dances at midnight Sunday, the Chinese Filipino community in the Philippines ushered in the Year of the Dragon.

 

Chinese Filipinos in Manila's Chinatown district cheered as the clock neared midnight Sunday, radio dzBB's Rodil Vega reported.

 

The Manila Police District said the celebration of the Chinese New Year in Manila was relatively peaceful, the report added.

 

MPD Station 11 personnel kept watch over Chinatown's streets against snatchers and muggers who may exploit the situation.

 

Since last weekend, pedestrians thronged Chinatown's main streets sightseeing or looking for last-minute bargains.

 

On Monday morning, some groups held early morning celebrations with dragon dances as early as 4 a.m.

 

But a separate report by dzBB's Carlo Mateo said many residents also spent early Monday morning cleaning up after Sunday night's celebrations. –KG, GMA News