It has become a tradition among friends to spend an afternoon in Binondo just before or after the Chinese New Year. This time, we lingered at stalls selling fruits and lucky charms, snacked on freshly steamed dumplings at Dong Bei, and bought packs of ‘hopia’ and tikoy.
Simian-shaped amulets and tabletop décor are already widely available; the Year of the Fire Monkey starts on Feb. 8.
Before stocking up on lucky charms, those who believe in attracting good fortune or repelling negative energy should read up on what the New Year holds for their respective Chinese zodiac designs.
In one store, the owners told us to read first the printed horoscopes taped on the wall before asking for the merchandise. After we had chosen our “lucky” items—shiny golden keychains we were advised to carry at all times—we placed them in a bronze bowl for the “energizing” ritual.
“You should come back on Feb. 7, the eve of the Chinese New Year. We’ll be open until midnight. There will be fireworks and lion and dragon dances; it will be just like Hong Kong,” the store owner said.
Never mind Hong Kong for now. In the heart of Manila, Binondo has charms of its own.
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