Chinese New Year 2026: Revelers flock to Binondo to celebrate Year of the Fire Horse

Revelers flocked to Binondo, Manila, to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. 

According to Mariz Umali's report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, Ongpin Street in Binondo came alive with tambourines, drums, and fire dances as street performers and mascots entertained the crowd. 

Lion and dragon dances paraded through establishments to bring luck to businesses, and children joined in with their own cardboard lion dance creations. 

With a variety of attractions, the Chinese New Year celebrations offered a vibrant feast for both the eyes and ears, delighting everyone who flocked to Binondo, including Jonny Yates, who hails from Missouri, United States.

“I better not miss this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm a little overwhelmed, but it's crazy. I love this,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Gonzales, a Filipino teacher working in Vietnam, made it a point to visit home this Chinese New Year.

“Although nag-celebrate po sila sa Vietnam ng week-long celebration for the Chinese New Year, iba pa rin po 'yung experience dito sa Philippines. Kasi po, kasama 'yung family, kasama 'yung mga friends ko po,” he said.

Some also offered incense and bought charms for good health and good luck.

According to a Feng Shui expert, there are some lucky charms that can be carried anywhere you go this Year of the Fire Horse. 

“The horse kasi, it's kontra sa Tai Sui, it also means protection. People keep it in the wallet, sa phone case kapag clear 'yung case, because they believe that it will bring them luck and more wealth, more prosperity,” said Tiffany Siahingco, owner of Evergreat Enterprise Lucky Charms, emphasizing that good fortune also requires hard work, persistence, and prayer.

Food was a highlight for the visitors, with many lining up for traditional delicacies like tikoy and hopia.

Per Gerik Chua,  owner and manager of Eng Bee Tin, tikoy symbolizes prosperity, unity, and the hope for a sweet life ahead due to its round shape, sweetness, and stickiness that represent close family ties and good luck.

“Unang-una 'yung pagiging bilog, hugis pera siya, tapos wala siyang kanto, it means walang problema. Pangalawa, 'yung pagiging matamis niya, so it signifies 'yung sweetness to each other and a sweeter life ahead,” Chua explained.

“Pangatlo naman 'yung pagiging malagkit, ito 'yung pagdikit ng swerte, tsaka 'yung close family ties,” he added.

The Chinese New Year festivities also included a Grand Thanksgiving Parade at 2 p.m., featuring colorful floats from various Chinese organizations. 

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno joined the parade, alongside Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan, who distributed candies, tikoy, and ampao to attendees.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News