Tags: Public Holidays and Celebration
By Anna Valmero
MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA— Less than two weeks before the Chinese New Year on February, the Fil-Chinese community in Binondo is busier than usual preparing for the event. Of course, feng shui charms are abundant even for the non-Chinese who wish to attract good luck this year.
For Peter Siahingco, the ongoing belief among the Chinese and even Filipinos that feng shui charms would bring luck is also a sign of their optimism in life.
“The Chinese and even the Fil-Chinese community here are always hopeful. The Chinese always look at the positive side of things,” said the owner of Evergreat Enterprises, which sells lucky charms in the Ongpin district.
More than believing in lucky charms and practicing feng shui, the first Chinese settlers here in Binondo are hardworking and are always happy even through tough and trying times.
Decades of hardwork resulted in today’s business empire. The richest and most powerful business tycoons in the country are, in fact, Chinese. Peter, meanwhile, says even non-Chinese families like the Ayalas are believers in feng shui.
For example, greetings of Kung Hey Fat Choi (or Kiong Hei Huat Tsai, literally meaning “Congratulations and wishing you prosperity!”) in bold red letters is a ubiquitous decoration adorning Chinese restaurants, homes and even Catholic churches near Chinese communities.
The sphere or circular designs in decorations symbolize unity among the family. This is the reason why most of the dragon figurines sold by feng shui charm merchants often hold or breathe fire on a ball, according to Peter.
Meanwhile, the small red envelope called ang pao holds money in even amounts to attract luck. The Chinese only give money in odd numbers during funeral. Chinese children are given the ang pao to help them attract luck, while older members of the family are given the good luck pouch.
So why do Chinese love giving money as gifts?
Money is more convenient to give instead of items so it has been a custom among the Chinese to give money as gift during weddings, birthday, or New Year celebrations, Peter explains.
“The practice of feng shui could have helped most Chinese attract to good luck by persisting despite countless failures such that their good luck becomes self-fulfilling prophecies,” he says.
If at all, some lucky charms could have inspired the Chinese to turn bad luck to good.
“For example, the figurine of the Chinese warrior Guan Gong are placed in business stores to inspire workers to excel in the business and fight competitively in the market, much like the tenacious warrior,” Peter adds.
But apart from luck, the Chinese are definitely a hardworking lot who deeply hold the values of unity among family, remaining positive and succeeding amid failures, and practicing harmony with nature. Definitely, these are values that Filipinos can adopt.
Get more information on Evergreat Enterprises
Related stories:
Discover the hidden architectural treasures of Binondo
Ongpin Street in Binondo is named after this Filipino-Chinese patriot
Binondo vendors peddle lucky charms to welcome the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year traditions explained
Congress studies bill declaring Chinese New Year as holiday
Binondo vendors peddle lucky charms to welcome the Chinese New Year
Accidents and Tragedies Administration Cooperatives Crime and Punishment Elections Environment Filipinos Abroad General News Government Agencies Government Offices Inspirational Stories Judiciary Labor and Employment Legislation Military NGOs and foundations non-government organizations and foundations People Power and Edsa Politics Poverty Public Holidays and Celebration Typhoons and Natural Disasters Typhoons and natural disaters Water Electricity and Utilities
WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
