00:00On the other hand, the activities of the Chinese New Year are in full swing.
00:05You can also sell the things you believe to bring you luck,
00:08such as charms and sweet food.
00:12From Binondo, Manila, I'm Maris Umali.
00:16If you're enjoying, Maris...
00:22Kiyong hiwa, Chymel!
00:23I would like to greet you from the oldest Chinatown in the world,
00:28Binondo, Manila, which is still alive even on the eve of the Chinese New Year.
00:39Lion dances are becoming more and more popular in different businesses here in Ongpin Street
00:44on the eve of the Chinese New Year.
00:46Before the dance ends, the lion needs to find the angpao
00:49that the businessman used to receive the lucky money,
00:53in exchange for the positive energy that was given by their dance.
00:56Not only does it bring bad luck, but it also brings good luck to the business.
01:01On the other side of Binondo, there is a bigger dragon dance.
01:06The Year of the Wood Snake is just a few hours away,
01:10so the attractions here in Binondo are different.
01:13From different mascots greeting the tourists on the eve of Ongpin,
01:17which is really enjoyed by the kids,
01:20to performers lighting fire.
01:24But of course, the most popular are the food for good luck,
01:28such as tikoy and hopia.
01:30Just like here in this store,
01:32even on the eve of the Chinese New Year,
01:34it is even more popular on the Chinese New Year's Eve.
01:37When it is round, it signifies that there is no problem,
01:40because there is no corner, and it looks like money.
01:43Second, it is sticky.
01:45It signifies our closer family ties, and the connection of good luck.
01:49Third, it is sweet.
01:51It signifies our sweeter life, and our sweetness to each other,
01:54especially the family and friends.
01:56These are the tourists that I met from Olongapo, Batangas, Bicol,
02:01and some from Singapore.
02:03It's part of our tradition and culture, the Chinese.
02:07When you buy here,
02:09you really symbolize our being Filipinos,
02:14who are really fond of festivals like this.
02:18Every year, we come here to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
02:22A lot of good luck comes to me when I come here for the New Year.
02:29And because of my lineage of the Chinese ancestry.
02:35I celebrate my birthday here.
02:38I feel stronger when I come here.
02:43Enjoy, really enjoy.
02:45All very friendly.
02:46Of course, when there is a celebration, food is a must.
02:49But because there are a lot of people coming here to Binondo,
02:53on the eve of the Chinese New Year,
02:55the restaurants are already full.
02:59That's why some vendors put their vendors here on the street,
03:05so that it is easier to buy those who are walking,
03:09and to maximize their time,
03:11so that they can eat while they are walking around Binondo.
03:16So this year, we decided to bring out the Kiampong
03:20from the comfort of your homes.
03:22So we bring it out to the streets here.
03:24Why?
03:25Because we believe that Kiampong is sticky rice in Chinese.
03:31It's like paella in Filipino culture.
03:35So the stickiness, it bonds together the people.
03:40Lucky charms are also available on the street,
03:43such as pinang with kiat-kiat,
03:45balay, luya, and bonsai kiat,
03:48but more serious in following the feng shui.
03:51Stores like this are their target,
03:53so that they can customize the so-called good luck
03:56this year of the wood snake.
03:58We have a lot of changes,
04:00or transformative year,
04:04or anything that involves the religious,
04:07or career, or money, or business,
04:10you need to be very focused on strategic planning.
04:14Because the nature of the snake is more of a controlling nature,
04:17so it's sensitivity is there,
04:19and mostly its emotions are based on change of mind.
04:23For many people, this is a reminder of the people of the barangay,
04:26and there are also policemen walking around.
04:28We just want to talk.
04:30Our work is just to put it in front.
04:34Tonight, there are different programs
04:36in different places here in Binondo.
04:38There will be a grand countdown, fireworks display,
04:41and drone show later tonight at Jones Bridge
04:44to celebrate the new year.
04:46Mel?
04:47Congratulations to all of our Chinese countrymen,
04:51and thank you very much, Marie Zumali.
05:03For more information, visit www.fema.gov
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