The significance of this celebration was formally recognized when then President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III declared the Chinese New Year a national holiday on February 19, 2015, through The Golden Fruit Tray, filled with a variety of fruits symbolizing luck and prosperity, is a staple decoration during Chinese New Year in Filipino-Chinese households. Each fruit holds significant meaning – with oranges representing wealth, apples symbolizing peace, and grapes signifying fertility. Today, Chinese New Year celebrations in the Philippines reflect a harmonious blend of Chinese and Filipino customs. Some of the most iconic practices include: Dragon and Lion Dances: A staple of Chinese New Year festivities, these performances are believed to chase away evil spirits and bring good luck. In the Philippines, these dances are not A buyer checks lucky charms for the coming Chinese New Year at Binondo district, said to be the oldest Chinatown in the world, in Manila, Philippines on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Crowds are flocking to Manila’s Chinatown to usher in the Year of the Wood Dragon and experience lively traditional dances on lantern-lit streets with food, lucky charms How Chinese New Year started in the Philippines. The Chinese New Year was first declared by then President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III as a national holiday on February 19, 2015. Great holidays are known for their food, and the Chinese New Year in the Philippines is no exception. One of the most popular foods to celebrate the lunar New Year is tikoy. This is a sweet treat made of sticky rice. During January and February before the lunar New Year celebrations, tikoy can be purchased in most grocery stores and Chinese shops. MANILA, Philippines—In celebration of the Chinese New Year, Feb. 19 has been declared a national holiday in the country, according to the Official Gazette, the government’s official publication. Filipino and Chinese peoples share a centuries-old bond, connected through years of migration, trade, and cultural exchange. This vibrant tapestry is especially evident during Chinese New Year, a festival that explodes with color, sound, and mouthwatering flavors in China and the Philippines. In past years, Chinese New Year was not widely celebrated or recognized as a regular holiday in the country. However, it has been added to the list of special non-working days in recent years, as declared under the 19th Senate Bill 1012. Where Is The Best Place To Celebrate Chinese New Year In The Philippines? When it comes to experiencing the The Vietnamese New Year celebration of Tet, short for Tet Nguyen Dan which means “festival of the first day”, is celebrated over three days as opposed to the traditional 15 of the Chinese New Experience abundance and prosperity at One Ayala from January 28 to February 2 with their series of Chinese New Year festivities! Watch the Lion and Dragon Dance from 12:00 p.m. onwards on January 29, and join the Catch the Angpao virtual game from January 29 to 30, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00. Summary; The Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar new year, which occurs sometime between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. Also known as the Spring Festival, it is considered one of China’s most important celebrations, with each year being named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Happy Chinese New Year! Join the Celebration from January 29 to February 2! - See you there! #TrueValue30Years. The most popular of these Filipino Chinese New Year foods is the “Chinese New Year’s cake,” made of glutinous rice, called the tikoy in Declaring Chinese New Year as a special non-working holiday in 2012 was a breakthrough for the Filipino-Chinese Community. Cebu City, Philippines Public Holidays in 2025 with dates and information on the origin and meaning of holidays. Upcoming Chinese New Year (bridge day). “The declaration of 09 February 2024, Friday, as an additional special non-working day throughout the country will give the people the full opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year and enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend,” read the proclamation signed by the President and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. CEBU CITY, Philippines — Instead of the actual day of the Chinese New Year celebration on January 29, Wednesday, the Red Lantern Festival in Cebu City will be moved to February 8, Saturday. Leap Year Status. Year 2015 is a non-leap year, with 365 days. The latest prior leap year occurred in 2012 and the next will be in 2016. The reason for the leap year is to reconcile the earth's orbit around the sun. By adding days to the year the seasons stay in step with the month's for each year. More information on Leap Year. MANILA, Philippines: More than a million people are expected to join the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the 430th founding anniversary of Binondo on February 9-10, the city administrator's office in Manila said. Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations and Activities (Jan. 7–Feb. 12, 2025) Jan. 7, 2025: Laba Festival. Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for Chinese New Year as early as day 8 of the 12 th month of the lunar calendar.
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