Shangrila Plaza Mall Chinese New Year Decors

Xin Nian Kuai Le! (means Happy New Year!)

We're always fascinated with Shangrila Plaza Mall's decors. Since its Chinese New Year, the mall is filled with Chinese decors and symbols.

Kung Hei Fat Choi! at the entrance of Rustan's

my son wants these huge golden nuggets and coins!

It's the Year of the Wooden Horse!

In Chinese astrology, the Year of the Horse is considered a fortunate year that brings new opportunity, luck and good things.

horses at the Grand Atrium

looks like a golden money tree with tassels and red envelopes

Chinese dolls at the East Wing

If you'll be going to Shangrila Mall, you can catch these Chinese new year festivities:

• Chinese Spring Film Festival at Shang Cineplex Cinema 3 (February 3 to 9) 
• Chinese Painting Exhibit at the Grand Atrium, Level 2 (February 3 to 11)
• Chinese Painting Demonstration at the Grand Atrium, Level 2 (February 7, 3pm)

Hope that this Year of the Horse will bring prosperity and abundance to everyone!

Time to say... Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Chinese New Year in the Year of the Dragon 2012

January 23 marks the start of the Year of the Dragon. This 2012, the Chinese New Year is officially declared by the  Philippine government as a special non-working holiday. (Read Proclamation No. 295)

Since the Chinese population and its influence is very large, the Chinese New Year is often celebrated by both Filipino-Chinese and ordinary Filipinos as well.

I've read these General Predictions for the Year of the Dragon, and found it very interesting.

The year of the dragon is traditionally associated with new beginnings and good fortune.

Those with entrepreneurial spirit are particularly favored to see much success in the coming year.

Generally, it's predicted that any new venture may benefit from the outstanding luck often associated with the dragon. Therefore, 2012 will be a very good year to get married, have children, or start a new business. (Source: Chiff)

The dragon is a symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power. Those born during the dragon year are describes as charismatic, tempestuous, and lucky. Hopefully, we would all attract good luck this year and fill it with good fortune.

Enjoy the upcoming Chinese New Year and greet everyone  "Kung Hei Fat Choi!"  or you can also say, "Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!"

[Philippine Holidays 2012 Official List]

This year, we have 6 long weekends to look forward to.

A. Regular Holidays
January 1 (Sunday) :  New Year's Day
April 5 (Thursday) :  Maundy Thursday
April 6 (Friday) :  Good Friday
April 9 (Monday) :  Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 (Tuesday) :  Labor Day
June 12 (Tuesday) :  Independence Day
August 27 (Monday) :  National Heroes Day
November 30 (Friday) :  Bonifacio Day
December 25 (Tuesday) :  Christmas Day
December 30 (Sunday) :  Rizal Day

B. Special (Non-Working) Days
January 23 (Monday) :  Chinese New Year
August 21 (Tuesday) :  Ninoy Aquino Day
November 1 (Thursday) :  All Saints Day
November 2 (Friday) :  Additional special (non-working) day
December 31 (Monday) :  Last Day of the Year

C. Special Holiday (for all schools)        
February 25 (Saturday) :  EDSA Revolution Anniversary

The observance of Eid’l Fitr (end of Ramadan) and Eidul Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) are national holidays as well.

Chinese New Year 2011

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

I'm sending everyone good good vibes and prosperity in this Year of the Rabbit! Hoping that this Year of the Rabbit would be a more welcomed and peaceful year. 

Chinese New Year is an important festival celebrated by the Chinese community. Here in the Philippines, most people would use the popular greeting "Kung Hei Fat Choi!" It's a Cantonese greeting that means "Congratulations and wishing you prosperity!"

If you want to greet someone “Happy New Year” in Mandarin, you can say “Xin Nian Kuai Le!”

Aside from the Dragon and Lion dances, the Chinese also give away red envelopes as a symbol of luck and wealth. They wear red clothes to bring fortune and new clothes to bring enough things throughout the year. Firecrackers are lit to ward of bad spirits. And of course,one of the most principal dishes cooked during this time is the ‘Tikoy,’ a food that symbolizes unity.

Oh, I just saw this morning that we already have 6 boxes of Tikoy (sticky rice cake) at home. Can't wait to eat some.

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai!