Masuki | Collectors Connection

New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebration

Posted on February 12, 2021 by rence chan

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.