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.

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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.

5 Exciting Booths at RetroCon 2019 at Lucky Chinatown Mall

RetroCon 2019 had a successful  three day event from August 2 to 4, 2019 which held a trade show, bazaar, eyeball, comic autograph signing, live entertainment and on the spost raffle at the iconic Lucky Chinatown Mall along Reina Regente street and De La Reina street, Binondo, Manila. 

Funko Pop toys for sale

There were several booth selling toys, postcards, stamps, coins, soft drink bottles, poster, photograph, figurines, game console, stickers, comics, funko toys among others at the RetroCon 2019.

crowd at the RetroCon 2019 in Luckytown China Mall

Philippine Christmas greeting card probably printed circa late 1950’s to 1960’s

banknotes

5 Exciting Booths at RetroCon 2019

5.) Modern Vintage Collectibles– This is the booth which specializes on modern, vintage toys and other stuff which are collectible.

Mr. Jan Kevin Lao

4.) Pixel Hero PH– This booth specializes on pixel art, button pins and stickers with hundreds of different designs to choose from.

Ms. Christel Manalo and Mr. Glenn Mallari

3.) Dekada Collectibles and Antiques– This booth had a lot of items for sale. I have bought several old postcards.

2.) Kikosky Toys and Collectibles – Nice booth with a lot of interesting stuffs and collectible items.

Pugad Paboy comic books

Mr. Pol Medina Jr.

1.) Pol Medina Jr. and Comic book artists booth- One of the best time to meet these people who illustrate creative works of art.

RetroCon 2019 will be having a much bigger event slated next month at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

 

Retrocon 2019 at Lucky Chinatown Mall

Retrocon 2019 is a gathering for all collectors, fans, enthusiasts and admirers of vintage items, collectibles, memorabilia and anything of value which remind them of not so distant past.

Retrocon 2019 poster

There will be a lot of side events like meet and greet, stalls, talks, games at the three-day event which will happen on August 2,3 ,4 at Lucky China Mall in Binondo, Manila.

This will be the 4th time that the Retro Con will be held, the first two edition was held at the iconic Ali Mall in Cubao, while the last one was held in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

Retro Con 2019 is one of its kind and is aiming to bring in collectors and vintage collectibles in one venue for the appreciation of the public.

Unlike other trade fairs, the convention is FREE and open from 10:00 am till 8:00 pm. Hope to see you all !!!!

Photography Exhibit : Children at the CrossRoads in Lucky Chinatown Mall

Lucky Chinatown Mall , Binondo , Manila-Philippines

Lucky Chinatown Mall main lobby

The photo exhibit  were composed of 28 4‟ x 6‟ panels and a 10-minute video capturing the faces of children, the scenery, stories of  people who speak about the conflict within the conflict areas of Mindanao .

photo caption : An entire battalion of the First Mechanize Brigade pose for a group photo before they leave for combat operations in the Mamasapano area.

Their commanding officer said:”Kunan niyo kami ng picture habang buo pa kami. Baka pag balik anmin mamaya, kulang na kami.”

(Please take our picture while we are still complete. When we come back, we may not be complete anymore.) 

Photo taken at Barangay Kabingi, Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Maguindanao on March 15, 2015

 

audio-visual presentation

 Entitled, “Children at the Crossroads” by Mr.  Jun de Leon’s photographs with stories by An Alcantara will be on display until from June 6 to  June 10, 2016  at the main lobby area of Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo , Manila.

Lucky Chinatown Mall

This exhibit is the 10th of the series of exhibits which aims to raise awareness on the effects and impact of armed conflict in the Bangsamoro on children. This is a very sad reality in which over 120,000 people were killed in the ongoing insurgency problems in Mindanao ( 1970 to 1996) .

people posting messages

This is a roving exhibit within the country  and will be visiting malls , schools and exhibition places.

row of M16hang on a window of a farmer’s hut at Camp Afghan ( photo taken on Guindulangan, Maguindanao -March 12, 2015)

caravan 2

A pair of kuliglig , farm carts , usually used to carry harvest of corn , rice or vegetables to market are converted to mobile homes when families are forced to evacuate from their communities . These are carabao -drawn or, if the families can afford it, pulled by Kubota tractor . Some have potable solar panels, which they use to charge their cellphones- Barangay Nabundas, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on  March 13, 2015  .

 when i think of home

This exhibit is organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), in partnership with Australian government -Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ,  Lucky Chinatown Mall management .

Website links: http://philippines.embassy.gov.au/

Lucky Chinatown Mall: http://megaworldlifestylemalls.com/main/mall/info/luckychinatownmall/page/555

This photo exhibit is FREE and can be viewed during mall hours .

Mall Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm