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Kung Hei Fat Choi Batangueños! Today is a new moon day and the start of another year for Chinese folks. In the Philippines, it is our first time to have this day declared as special non-working holiday. According to PNoy, we also need to celebrate the Spring Festival because it is one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in our country by both Chinese Filipinos and Filipinos as well.
But do we really celebrate this day? For us Batanguenos, how do we celebrate Chinese New Year? Here are some of the answers of our kababayans:
Jojo Ceniza of Dyaryo Veritas & Spirit FM – We celebrate Chinese New Year kasi Chinese ang bayaw ko, nadamay na kami. We cook noodles, miswa, tikoy and other Chinese food. We wear red clothes, watch fireworks. Marami ding fruits sa table kasi lucky daw yun. Kelangan may ampao din with money inside.
Aylene Acorda, Head of Lipa Culture & Arts Council – I offer prayers and at the same time do some pamahiin. I also make sure that there’s food on our table.
Jerome Ticatic of Hershey’s Company (Asia & Middle East)- Kumakain ako ng Tikoy and I also wear some lucky charms or Chinese ornaments na hindi naman masyadong elaborate para di masyadong obvious. I also pray for a good year for all.
Maria Rizabel Del Rio, student – I don’t celebrate Chinese New year but i am interested to find out the forecasts for my animal sign. I also watch out for news about Chinese new year celebrations and predictions.
Angelica Serrano, college instructor from BSU– Nagpapatrim ako ng buhok kapag Chinese New Year kasi good luck daw yun. We also buy and eat tikoy. Also I pray for a good year for our family, relatives and friends.
DJ Joseph of Spirit FM – I just celebrate Chinese New Year sa mall. We also eat tikoy at home.In malls here in the province, we usually see lion and dragon dance performances during Chinese New Year.
At SM City Lipa and Batangas, they got a special nook for Chinese New Year Celebration. They have activities like, Feng Shui Consultation, Chinese Dance performances aside from the usual dragon dance around the mall area that is believed to shoo away bad luck and bad spirits.
You would also see Batanguenos buying and asking for charms, crystals, ornaments and other lucky Chinese stuff that would bring good luck for this year. A lot of shoppers both in SM and Robinsons Lipa drop by at Chinese charms booths looking for lucky coins, figurines, bracelets, charms, necklaces and other ornaments that attract good luck, good health, prosperity, love, happiness and safety.
A lot of Batanguenos also wear red today. (it almost feels like Vday!) It is believed that we protect ourselves from bad luck and spirits whenever we are wearing red our any loud colored-clothings. Stalls mannequines are also dressed either in red or polka dots with touch of red color.
The Chinese culture seemed to have influenced a lot, if not all of Batanguenos these days. There’s nothing wrong if we believe, as some people say. No matter how we celebrate this day, I guess in the end, it will all be up to us. If we are going to work hard, help other people and keep our faith in the Lord, nothing “malas” will happen to us. For me, it’s okay to keep some charms and do some rituals for good luck but do not depend much on these stuffs. Most of the time, it’s us who make our own swerte. Happy Chinese New Year mga ka-WOWBatangas. We pray for a good 2012 for all of us.
