CHINESE NEW YEAR 2013

Chinese New Year is considered to be the most important festival for the Chinese community in the Philippines. It does not follow a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used in many countries. 

Filipino-Chinese communities in the Philippines celebrate Chinese New Year every year in hope of attracting prosperity, closer family ties and peace. Most Filipino-Chinese families usually clean their homes thoroughly, prepare lucky money in red envelopes, serve sweet foods and display various food and fruits on a table, which is believed to invite good fortune. People also participate in parades and dragon dances that are organized in China Towns in different cities in the Philippines.

 Chinese New Year is not an official holiday in the Philippines so all establishments remain open. However, some streets in several China Towns in different cities may be closed to honor this celebration. The mythological Chinese dragon is the main symbol of Chinese New Year. Other symbols include firecrackers that are believed to drive off bad luck and the Tikoy, a Chinese sticky sweet treat that symbolizes the attraction of good luck.