New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebration

We arrived early to visit some relatives and friends living in Chinatown,Manila. The new normal Chinese New Year celebration is very much subdue with very little fireworks display, dragon and lion dance is limited only to IATF approve guidelines.

This marks the arrival of 4719 year of the metal ox, since the Chinese lunar calendar was invented.

New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebrations

Unlike the previous Chinese New Year celebration, 2021 celebration is more of close knit with fewer people ever ventured in Chinatown’s Manila and Chinatown in Quezon City.

fewer people came and joined the celebration

People had to wear face mask, face shield, one must observe minimum health protocols, guidelines set by the local government and IATF. This was is stark contrast prior to the coronavirus 2019 lock down in middle of March 2020. Before the pandemic, Business was brisk with hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life would visit Manila and Quezon City Chinatown to celebrate, buy their favorite nian gao, ti ke or tikoy and even dine-in their favorite restaurants.

New Quan Yin Chay Vegetarian restaurant Ongpin street corner Salazar street

The annual parade and other activities were canceled by the Manila City government via executive order no. 4 series of 2021 stating that no dragon dance, street party, stage show, parade or any other similar activity will be held for the celebration of Chinese New Year from February 11 to 12, 2020.

charm store along Ongpin street

We were not able to visit some sites like Buddhist temples and Chinatown Museum located at Lucky Chinatown Mall . There were also fewer ambulant vendors and peddlers along Ongpin street.

Heritage advocates like Mr. Allan Martinez, Ms. Mabelle Tenorio visited the Masuki Noodles along Benavidez St, Binondo and some parts of Manila’s Chinatown later part of the day and enjoyed the noodles.

Masuki mami

We decided to leave to leave the place at around past 11:00 am after shopping and visited Banawe, Quezon City.

Note and special “Thanks” To Mr. Allan Pardilla Martinez for some of the photos posted in this site.

Kung Hei Fat Choi, Gong Xi Fa Chai , Kiong Hee Huat Chay !!!!!

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A Visit to New Po Heng Stall in Ongpin Street

New Po Heng use to be located at 531 Quintin Paredes street ( formerly called Calle Rosario), ground floor of Uy Suy Bin building for more than 30 years.

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New Po Heng – ( Amoy ) Chinese -style fresh lumpia

The art deco building stand as a rare jewel within post-modern buildings along Quintin Paredes street. However for the past several years, heritage advocates, concerned citizens and residents of the district were afraid that the building is going to get demolished to pave way for a higher and bigger condominium building.

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Uy Suy Bin building

Carvajal street offers a small dining space compared to the previous location which had a indoor atrium like ambiance.

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lumpia wrapper with toppings of grounded peanuts, seaweed, fried crushed sotanghon noodles, crushed fresh garlic, powdered sugar

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fresh lettuce leaves are added

The best-seller is their Chinese-Amoy style fresh “Lumpia” or Run Bing in Mandarin – tofu, chopped cabbage, mustard, shredded carrots, coriander with generous toppings of grounded peanuts, seaweed ( Ho-Ti), fried crushed sotanghon noodles, crushed fresh garlic, powdered sugar. It is cooked along with grounded shrimp heads to add more flavors, fresh lettuce leaves then rolled together in a thin lumpia wrapper made from flour.

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cooked mix vegetables are added 

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wrapping the fresh lumpia

It also takes time to wrap the fresh lumpia into rolls.

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 I would also suggest to eat first the lumpia without using the sauce. The price of their lumpia is Php 95.00 per order. There is a 20% discount for senior citizens and person’s with disability with valid Id’s presented before ordering.

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prices 

New Po Heng / New Pou Heng

New Po Heng / New Pou Heng eventually moved out of the heritage building sometime in the later part of 2018 to a new location along 621 Carvajal  street. The quaint restaurant  along with their famous Chinese-Amoy style lumpia, pork maki, misua soup, kiampung and home-cooked meals are well-loved by the community.

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Carvajal street

While a smaller stall opened in 2019 at Ongpin street near corner Tomas Mapua street just beside Mei Sum Tea House or ( Maxim’s Tea House). The Ongpin street had fewer selection and for those interested to try the other dishes, I would recommend to drop-by at the Carvajal street.

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New Pou Heng/ New Po Heng stall beside Mei Sum Tea House

We decided to order for take outs and they also accepts bulk order. The lumpia stall had been featured in many blogs, vlogs, newspaper and television station.

Other Lumpia Variations

Lumpiang Ginayat na Papaya and Lumpiang Puso ng Saging had fillings made from shredded young papaya or shredded banana blossom. It is popular in some provinces with plenty of papaya and banana blossom. They are either fried or sauteed along with carrots and other vegetables. Young papaya or shredded banana blossom were used as a substitute for cabbage which is not always available.

Aling Ika’s fresh lumpia from Cavite City is a little bit different and have slightly different taste. Our family also have a different version of the Amoy- Chinese style fresh lumpia.

Note: Prices posted in this blog are subject to change without prior notice

Address: 621 Carvajal st. Binondo, Manila- Contact (7) 753-1891 / 277531891

New Po Heng Stall : Ongpin Street corner Tomas Mapua street, Santa Cruz, Manila

 

 

 

 

Special Chinese New Year Tour 2020 (Part 1)

Royal Postal Heritage Tour in partnership with WalkwithChan, heritage advocate group bloggers and social media influencers conducted a guided tour within the heart of the Chinatown’s Manila district.

photo collage courtesy of Ms. Lin Deres

Unlike other guided tours, The tour focus on the vast Chinatown district which encompasses part of Santa Cruz, Tondo, San Nicolas and Binondo.

Special Chinese New Year 2020 Tour

early bird participants

 We met at the Carriedo fountain within Plaza Santa Cruz around past 6:00 am. Ms. Melody Abuan was the early bird and won 2 gift certificate from Yakikai restaurant worth Php 1,000. followed by Mr. Ray Ong, Philip Reyes and Ms. Lin Deres among the early participants who brace the overcast saturday morning. Slowly followed by two  participants who came all the way from San Pedro, Laguna province to join the fan fare.

Kim Sha Temple

After the short tour of the Santa Cruz church, We went to have a blessing at Kim Sha Temple located at 1021 Ongpin street which is part of Santa Cruz district.

breakfast buffet selection

buffet dishes consisted of fish with tausi, noodles, fried rice, pechay, hotdog, raddish, scrambled egg, tasty bread, two kinds of soup and bottomless ice tea and brewed coffee.

group photo

Chinatown LaiLai Hotel Buffet

group photo

We arrived past 7:00 am at the Chinatown Lailai buffet area, Compared to the previous year, there were fewer dishes offered at the buffet area. While Ms. Rebecca Bucad and her companion followed.

Address: 801 Ongpin Street corner Sabino Padilla Street (aka Gandara), Santa Cruz, Manila

different kinds of ornamental and flowering plants for sale

Chinatown Arch

Manila Chinatown -Welcome Arch

The mood was festive, but fewer crowd on weekend. The threat of the novel corona virus may have affected the crowd participation.

Chinese New Year revelers in costume

parade

We spotted group of mendicants asking for cash or donations. Some are dress in ati-atihan costume and darna giving the Chinese New Year celebrations new type of entertainment.

mendicants giving some envelope

Salazar Bakery

zesto cola flavored tikoy (nian kao)

The group then decided to visit the famed Salazar bakery and bought some popular pastries like hopia, lao po pia ( sweetheart pastry), mamon and tikoy at the bakery before walking along Ongpin street.

Address: 783 Ongpin St, Binondo, Manila

children imitating a dragon dance

Santo Cristo de Longos ( Popular Shrine)

 Santo Cristo de Longos shrine along Nueva Street ( aka Yuchengco Street) corner Ongpin street is the most popular shrine of the holy cross. This shows how Catholicisim, Taosim, Buddhism syncretize and create a unique harmony between these major religion.

Mr. Ray Ong together with some of the participants

Carvajal Street

We went to Carvajal street also nicknamed the umbrella street alley of Chinatown and bought some hopia and pastries from Holland bakery.

home cooked meals sold in one of the stall within Carvajal street

Mr. Ray Ong gave a short talk on the interesting fruits, vegetables and food found within the street alley.

Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila

We spend about 20 minutes inside the minor basilica and pointed out the important religious images and the real Santo Cristo de Longos which was located in the baptistry of the church.

Lucky Chinatown Mall

Lucky Chinatown Mall is one of the posh mall located within the district. it is site for various event in the Chinatown Manila. It is like a one stop shop for everyone.

dragon dancers in front of Lucky Chinatown Mall

The group arrived about 10:00 am. There was a lion and dragon dancers outside the mall.

bright lantern

Chinatown Museum

Ms. Beverly Ann Tan ( curator)

Chinatown Museum is located 4th level of the mall which showcases 18 galleries.  A visit to the museum is a MUST for those keen to learn history, heritage, heroism and anything about Chinatown’s -Manila.

well-loved Chinese foods in the Philippines

The group was greeted by Ms. Beverly Ann Tan (museum administrator) who gave an interesting history behind some of the practices of the Filipino-Chinese community.

panaderia ( bakery)

local produce

For those planning to visit the museum, Do not forget to pre-reserve in advance especially in big group.

candid shot with some of the participants

A minimal entrance fee of Php 150 for the general public, Php 100 students with valid Id’s,Php 80 for senior citizens, people with disabilities.

Address: 4th Floor Lucky Chinatown Building- A, Reina Regente Street, Binondo, Manila

Operations: Everyday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Contact: (632)8293-2584/ (0917-1164047)

Ilang-Ilang Restaurant

appetizer meal which consists of kikiam ( ngo hiong), sliced century eggs, pork asado, radish cake and pickled raddish.

We ate at the famed Ilang-Ilang restaurant. Some of the famed dishes includes the appetizer meal, pata tim, shanghai fried rice, nido soup, fried buttered chicken, birthday noodles, buchi/ botchi, braise steamed fish, almond fruit cocktail.

pata tim

Ilang-Ilang Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurant in the district, established in 1910. The restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and closes only during Holy Week.

steamed fish fillet

buttered fried chicken

birthday noodles

For dine-in services, the restaurant can accommodate up to 180 persons on ground floor and 400 persons on 2^nd floor function hall.

group photo

Address: 551 Ilang-Ilang Street, Binondo, Manila

Operations: Everyday

8:00am to 11:00 pm

(02) 241- 9297, 241-9298, 242-3266

Chinese New Year 2020

The group got a hearty Chinese lauriat style lunch and spend almost two hours at the restaurant.

Pambansang Coaches Jim & Toni Saret Shares Tips on Fitness and Lifestyle at Novuhair

Pambansang coaches, health and wellness experts Mr. Jim and Toni Saret shared how to achieve renewed health and wellness for 2020.

Novuhair, Is nature’s answer to hair loss together with the coaches reiterated that by setting smaller goals, it decreases the chances of being overwhelmed, thereby giving yourself a higher chance of achieving what you are aiming for.

Health and Wellness Tips

During their Chinese New Year wellness event held at King Chef, Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Novuhair representatives and coaches engaged on a variation of 1-minute workout that anyone is capable of doing without claiming that they don’t have the time.

Examples of some basic/simple 1-minute workouts that you can try in the morning are jumping jacks, squats, high knees, lunges, side leg raises or push-ups.

The coaches also addressed several issues on hair loss connected to fitness and nutrition which they will be sharing with everyone on several activities planned throughout the year. They also chose Novuhair for its natural ingredients and advocacy.

the husband and wife tandem also encourages everyone to a wellness mantra to “Believe in yourself, You got nothing to Lose”.

Another tip were sleeping early and having healthy lifestyle which includes healthy food intake, exercise, using natural products like Novuhair.

(photo courtesy of Manila Public Information Office)

celebrating the Chinese New Year event, Novuhair‘s advocacy of wellness which jump started with its partnership with Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso as one of their endorser who in turn donated his talent fee to the displaced victims of Taal Volcano Eruption.

To get more wellness tips and know more about Novuhair’s wellness initiatives, follow their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NovuhairOfficial/.

Modern Tao Ke by Globe Academy at Chinatown Museum

Modern Tao Ke was promoted by Globe Business Academy, Chinatown Museum, Lucky Chinatown Mall, ChinoyTV and with special guests Master Feng Shui Ms. Marites Allen, Chiang Kai Shek College, Philippine Postal Corporation among others.

Modern Tao Ke

Ms. Yuriko Tsumura together with participants of the event

Tao Ke means “Boss” was derived from Hokkien language which is one of the major Chinese languages spoken in the country. In fact, more than 80 % of the Filipino-Chinese in the country can trace their origin from Fujian province.

Most Filipino-Chinese would like to know what type of business would they open this time.

Globe Business Academy usherettes

Ms. Marites Allen together with Mr. Alvin Kingston Tan of ChinoyTV

participants were able to ample meal serve at the Cafe de Chinatown

The pre-event started with the registration of participants who wanted to visit the Chinatown Museum and a FREE afternoon buffet meal at the nearby Cafe de Chinatown in Lucky Chinatown Mall before the guided tour of the museum which was led by Ms. Yuriko Tsumura and Ms. Beverly Ann Tan.

religious icons and statues venerated within Chinatown, Manila featured in one of the exhibit area.

The group was divided into first group and second group, We toured the 18 galleries and enjoyed every nook and cranny of the museum. This is my second time to visit the museum.

 horse drawn tranvia

Chinatown museum curator forgot to include that the first postage stamp issued in the country which bore the portrait of Queen Isabel 2 in February 1, 1854. The postage stamp was made by the Company of Plana, Jorba y Cia at Plaza Binondo. ( Source: page 4, The Issued Stamps, Peter w. A. Harradine, Philippine Postage Stamp Handbook 1854-1982)

stickers and postcards for sale

There were several stickers and postcards for sale at the museum. Each postcards cost between Php 40 and Php 50 each which bundle packs cost between Php 110 to Php 350 per pack.

trivia questions

Ms. Earth 2019 Janelle Tee was the emcee. She asked the participants questions about Chinatown, museum and on the spot raffle were conducted before the program started. The author was among the lucky individual who won an exciting pouch bag courtesy of Globe.

movie premiere tickets

Globe Business Academy executives, ChinoyTV’s Mr. Alvin Kingston Tan and Miss Marites Allen

Year of the Metal Rat

As rats are known to be mischievous creatures, the Feng Shui master warned all animal signs to be careful with their material things and temperament. The Violence and Robbery Star has flown to the Center sector in 2020.

The negative energy it brings may result to loss of material things and good reputation. There is also a higher chance of possible break-ins, trust betrayal and even lawsuits.The lucky signs for 2020 are Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Ox, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The overall forecast was good for the year of metal rat but be cautious for some industries.

Aside from the on the spot raffle, the participants also got tikoy ( nian gao from Polland) and lovely bag from Chinatown Museum.