Horse-themed lucky charms a hit with Filipinos welcoming 2026, ‘Year of the Horse’

Filipinos flocked to Binondo in Manila on New Year’s Eve for their last-minute shopping, specifically to buy some lucky charms to welcome 2026 or the “Year of the Fire Horse.”

According to JP Soriano’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, lucky charms designed with horse figures are a hit with customers.

Venus traditionally goes to Binondo every December 31. This year, she bought a small horse figurine as she hopes for luck in the coming year. 

“Good health, magandang pasok ng income, sama-sama kami, ayun lang po,” she said. 

(Good health, a good flow of income, that we all stay together – that is all.) 

One can buy horse-inspired lucky charms depending on one’s budget. For instance, the horse figurine that Venus bought is priced at P380. 

A set of cloth with baby horse designs costs P250. There is also a prosperity box, or a complete set of lucky charms and ampao, that costs P1,699. 

A feng shui expert said each individual has a different fate in 2026, depending on their birth date. 

For instance, those born in the “Year of the Rooster” should have a good relationship with one of the celestial deities in Chinese culture. 

The feng shui expert stressed that prayer is the best weapon against bad luck. 

“Mag-pray (Pray). Prayer is the most powerful,” she said, and that prayer should be accompanied by hard work, perseverance, and resourcefulness. 

Aside from buying lucky charms, some Filipinos trooped to Binondo to buy tikoy, xiaolongbao, and roasted chestnuts for their Media Noche. 

Asked for their wish for the New Year, some hoped for good health and reformation. 

“Good health for everyone, tapos sana matapos na ‘yung nangyayari sa bansa,” said Salve Cariño. 

(Good health for everyone, and I hope the country’s troubles will end.)

“Pag-asa na may magbabago sa sistema, may pagbabago sa the way we tackle things, pagbabago that would give us a better future ahead lalo na sa atin at sa mga bata,” said Bonni Lao. 

(Hope that there will be a change in the system, a change in the way we tackle things, a change that would give us a better future ahead, especially for us and for our children.) 

Some shops also set up New Year’s wish walls where customers are free to write their wishes for 2026. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News