The One with the New Year

I'm born and bred Filipino but my blood is still slightly of the Chinese descent. I would always tell people that I'm a non-practicing Chinese. But when the opportunity to visit Chinatown on Lunar New Year came to me, I grabbed it by its horns. 

No city trip is complete without sampling its church. I know for a fact that in art class, we were all asked to take a trip down old Manila and simply marvel at the architecture, the facade and the intricate art that the church has to offer. There's so much about a church that tells you about the community. 

San Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Downtown Binondo

A church shows solidarity. It links tradition to community and sets the tone for the community. And entering the church, it was airy and light. There were sculptures of saints and intricate columns everywhere but what I loved were the paintings on the wall and the archs of the dome. 

Nice art piece on the wall. Nope, I didn't lie down to take this shot. 

After which, we walked from street to street, admiring the view, the people and the customs. 

Balloons being sold by the side street, covering the huge banner that says "Happy New Year" in Chinese. 

Colored chicks sold by the side street of Ongpin. 

History is rich in this part of town. There's almost too much history that we don't really know where to start. What's amazing about it is there are tons of people walking around, doing as we did - soaking up the heritage and the culture that is Binondo, while everyone eyes the dragon dances. 

Kid in a Cheong Sam

Charms and Chinese amulets

More charms and Buddha figurines. 

Part of that rich heritage is people dressing in red every Lunar New Year. Amazingly, we saw families and even random by-passers in red. 

Red was the color of the day. 

Check it out, one whole family wearing red! Nice! 

So apart from this, we had dragons dancing everywhere! And if you don't believe me, check out the pictures! 

That's a golden dragon, dancing outside President Restaurant. 

Red dragon reaching for a firework atop the building ledge. 

Pink dragon walking along the Ongpin side streets.

A big yellow dragon follows the pink one. 

More of the golden dragon we saw from President. 

Yes, non-practicing Chinese but absolutely appreciating the heritage. Happy Lunar New Year, everyone! 

All pics were taken with a Sony DSC Cam. 
No dragons were harmed during the making of this post.