Chinese New Year at the Temple

A large number of the Filipino community are descendants of Chinese immigrants that moved to the Philippines and became successful traders and businessmen many of which are at the drivers of the Philippines economy today. As the Chinese community grows in the Philippines so does their influence on the culture. Temples, practices and even superstitious beliefs had been ingrained in modern day Philippines. Hence Chinese New Year had become a Celebrated Holiday in the Philippines.

For this year’s Chinese New Year I was able to go celebrate it in Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Budhist Temple and get glimpse of the culture. Now Chinese New Year follows the lunar cycle unlike the Gregorian calendar that follows the solar cycle. Which means most of Asia celebrates two New Years only a few weeks apart. This year is the year of the wood dog, one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac which changes every year. Being born in the year of the Dog I was eager to participate!

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I arrived at the temple gates at 6pm greeted with lanterns. Red and white from the moment I got inside I had to bring out my camera to start taking photos as I waited for my friends to arrive.

The Festivities

What festival will not be complete without Costumes and food! Since meat is prohibited in the temple grounds all the food served is Vegetarian. From barbeque, dumplings, fruit and even pizza, all of which are surprisingly good (coming from someone who doesn’t normally eat a lot of vegetables).

My friend Karen got the chance to put on Chinese garb and channelled her inner Fa Mulan.

We were even treated to some traditional Chinese tea from a real tea master. Where we learned how to properly drink tea, to taste it in your mouth before gulping it down. (He even made a side comment that tea bags do not really count as tea. )

The festival had performances from the best talents across Cebu, from dancers, singers musicians and Wushu performances.

Traditions

I was able to observe a few traditions such as the wishing leaf. Where you get to light a candle on a leaf and make your wish for the year.

Before the dragon dance started out the monks had performed their chants.

The Chinese New Year will not be complete without the traditional Dragon Dance. The story of the dragon dance is a dance of prosperity. The dragon is a water elemental, in ancient times the dragon dance was meant to bring rain so the year will bring plentiful harvest.

The pearl symbolizes the dragon’s treasure which he seeks so the dragon chases after it.

During the dance Lions accompany the dragon to bring good luck and good fortune.

So every year the dragon dance is performed to bring prosperity and good luck for the year.

The festival lasts the entire night until midnight where fireworks light up the skies.

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Compared to traveling, writing and documenting this was a challenge. Covering an event like this where a lot is happening at the same time yet you don’t get much of a background was pretty tedious but really fun! I ended up with way more photos than stories. But in the end it was about the experience and the culture.

It has been a great privilege to celebrate the Chinese New year immersed in the culture. Hearing the stories and traditions.

Kung Hei Fat Cai!

Thanks for reading! Stay Awesome!!