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Wake the dragon: 2012 Chinese New Year festivities


Many products of the Chinese community have managed to transcend the ethnic barrier and become icons of Filipino consciousness. Siomai, for example, or pancit canton. The practice of addressing older siblings as “ate” and “kuya” too. SM and Jollibee, of course. And let’s not forget Kim Chiu, Chris Tiu and Love Marie Ongpauco a.k.a Heart Evangelista.
 
No dragon dances here, only Chinese cinema.
At this point, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate Chinese culture from the national identity, and the best evidence of this is the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated by the Chinese, Filipino and Chinese-Filipino communities with equal zeal.
 
This year, the city is bursting with Chinese New Year festivities that you and your family can be a part of. Whether you want to ring in the Year of the Dragon by gorging on Chinese dishes lauriat style, overdosing on tikoy, seeing fireworks, watching the staple lion and dragon dances, or do all of the above, there is definitely something for you.
 
Manila Hotel’s celebration on January 22-23 will involve a bazaar, a dragon dance, a fireworks display, and a Chinese feast at the Mabuhay Palace. But the main attraction will be the Dotting of the Dragon Eye at 9:30 p.m on the 22nd, followed by the sharing of 2012 Forecast and Feng Shui and Geomancy Tips from feng shui expert Maritess Allen. Regular tickets for the event cost P2,188, while premium tickets cost P3,188. More details can be found on their website.
 
At the Mandarin Oriental, the celebrations begin with cocktails on January 22, after which, fireworks, dragon and lion dancers, an eye-dotting ceremony, and luck-bringing rituals by geomancer Joseph Chau will dazzle guests in the rundown to midnight. Guests can then indulge in an epic nightcap: the grand Chinese lauriat at the hotel ballroom. Reservation details and rates are on their website.
 
Tikoy with a twist. Photo courtesy of Makati Shangri-la
Tikoy takes the spotlight in Makati Shangri-La’s Chinese New Year welcome, and rightly so — their take on everyone’s favorite Kung Hei Fat Choi delicacy comes in various flavors (the chocolate one comes highly recommended), and two auspicious shapes: fish, and round. Their special tikoy will be available at the lobby until January 25. As per tradition, a dragon dance will also take place on January 22. For more details, call (02) 840-0884.    
 
 
Another dragon dance opens the festivities at Traders Hotel Manila’s Latitude restaurant on Jan. 23. Aptly named the Dragon Buffet, the spread includes a generous serving of dim sum, seafood and seafood, as well as freshly carved Roast Duck, Pork Asado and Soy Chicken. Of course, there will also be Birthday Noodles for long life. As for dessert, Chinese classics will be served alongside Western favorites, New York Cheesecake and Tiramisu. The lunch and dinner buffet costs P888 per person, while special tikoy is available for P488.
 
At Resorts World, the revelry starts early and lasts well into February. Filipino restaurant Mercado will be serving a lucky buffet—P88 for breakfast, P188 for lunch—from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, while a firecracker lighting ceremony will be held at the Main Entrance on Jan. 22 and 30, and Feb. 6 at 11 p.m. to ward off the bad luck and bring in the good vibes.
 
More than that, Newport Mall will be hosting a Chinese Cultural Exhibition on Jan. 22 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring fan dancers and wushu exhibitionists among others. The next day at 11 a.m., mimes and stiltwalkers are set to perform, while mascots Cai Shen and Choi Ying offer Chinese sweet treats.
 
Of course, Resorts World’s Chinese New Year revels won’t be complete without the token lion and dragon dance, which will take place on January 24—11 a.m. at the Newport Mall, and 3 p.m. at the Mariott Hotel. To cap it all off, Cantonese restaurant Passion is serving a special Chinese and Korean Banquet at 7 p.m. in honor of the event. 
 
Welcoming the Year of the Dragon doesn’t always have to be pomp and pageantry, though. The 6th annual Spring Film Festival should be a good enough celebration. You can catch some real gems of Chinese cinema starting on Jan. 20 at the Shangri-la Plaza cineplex. And since admission is free, you can even see them all, until the festival ends on the 29th. Take your pick from the lineup of dramas, comedies and historical epics on the website of co-organizer Ateneo-Celadon.
 
Moneygram shares the art of Chinese brushwork.
Food has always been central to any Chinese New Year party, but even more so at The Big Binondo Food Wok, a special walking tour organized by Manila tour experts, Old Manila Walks. Led by Ivan Man Dy, the tour goes through the streets of Binondo, and is centered on food and Chinoy history. It runs all year round, but they’re holding a special tour for Chinese New Year on Jan. 21 starting at 1:30 p.m., Jan. 22 at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Jan. 23 at 8 a.m. The tour rate is P1,500 per head and includes the tasting menu and a special surprise. Visit their website to book a slot. 
 
Moneygram Philippines plays the unlikely host to a number of Chinese New Year activities all centered on the fine art of Chinese lantern painting. The seasoned artists can participate in the on-the-spot Chinese lantern painting contest on Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Chinese lantern exhibit on Jan.15-23, both of which will take place at the SM Mall of Asia Main Mall Atrium. Those who want to get to know the art and learn the basics can join the free workshop on Jan. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m., also at the Main Mall Atrium. Registration forms for the contest and the workshop can be downloaded on Moneygram’s website. –KG, GMA News
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