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Chinese new year: From a millennial perspective

Being a Filipino entails a certain amount of accepted irony—it is a nationality that prides itself in possessing one, unified identity in spite of having various distinct (and sometimes contrasting) micro-characteristics. In fact, the Filipino’s genetic makeup, you could say, is a hodgepodge of different foreign lineages. While some Filipinos have grown to view their respective ancestries as but mere historical fact, others continue to espouse traditions linked to their foreign ties; an example of which is the Chinese-Filipino community and their upholding of Chinese New Year.

Chinua Achebe once wrote, “When a tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centuries, you don’t just turn it off one day.” The quote rings true—it’s no surprise that bits and pieces of the Chinese-Filipino culture have been assimilated into modern Filipino society. However, despite the integration of the two cultures, some non-Chinese-related locals remain clueless of what actually goes on during occasions such as Chinese New Year. Bryan Bacalso (III, AB-PHM), for one, admits that he visualizes fragmented images of tikoy and feng shui when talking about the celebration. But how exactly do these authentic Chinese-Filipino families celebrate this holiday in the first place?

 

Of tikoy and ang pao

The Chinese New Year, first and foremost, is based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar instead of the more commonplace Gregorian calendar that normally dons the walls of classrooms and office cubicles. The Gregorian New Year is the one most people know about and celebrate—a one-and-done event that falls strictly on January 1. On the other hand, the Chinese New Year spreads out its festivities over the course of the first fifteen days of its reference calendar, normally occurring between the 21st of January and the 20th of February, to put it in Gregorian perspective.

While some tsinoys sense the nearing approach of the Chinese New Year due to calendrical updates from family members and relatives, Ann Kimberlie King (II, BS-LGL), turns to the sudden influx of tikoy boxes as an indication of the upcoming celebration. “I know it’s Chinese New Year once I see tikoy boxes at home,” she recounts with a smile. “There will be so many boxes piled up at this certain corner in the house that it eventually reaches up to my waist.”

Moving away from gastronomic pointers, Cathleen Kim (III, AB-PSM) shares that her family is more traditionally inclined, attending large scale gatherings to celebrate the event. “We usually go to a Chinese restaurant to eat. Afterwards, we go back to our lola’s house to bond with relatives over games and talks,” she explains. Kim also likens the merrymaking to Christmas because of the widespread spirit of giving. “It’s like Chinese Christmas because of all the food you get and the mandatory bulk buying of mooncake and tikoy. On top of that, lola hands out the ang pao to her grandchildren; sometimes, the older ones receive more money, but usually it’s fairly equal.”

For those who aren’t well-versed in Chinese terminology, ang pao or hong pao translates to “red packet”. These are small, red, money-filled envelopes that are usually gifted during special occasions. Saving money can be difficult for teenagers in the midst of University life, so these ang paos are usually held in high regard. Harold Tan (II, BS-CIV) elaborates further on the significance of the ang pao, sharing that it’s the closest his family gets to actually celebrating the festivity. “We don’t really do much on Chinese New Year. It’s basically just a normal day except we get ang paos from relatives,” he says.

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Two worlds converge

Perhaps due to the large Chinese population in the country, a great number of Filipinos have absorbed the once-exclusive practices and integrated them into their own living. For instance, some Filipino families’ tradition of ordering noodles during birthdays is heavily grounded on the Chinese notion that uncut noodles must be eaten during the Chinese New Year for the sake of longevity. Another example is the eating of nian gao, or tikoy, as it is referred to colloquially. While the popularity of the delicacy is rooted in foreign tradition, Filipinos have nonetheless found a way to nativize the treat. In Cavite, locals have created an eccentric combination between bibingka and tikoy which they wittingly call bibingkoy—a portmanteau of the two dishes.

Of course, with changing times also comes changing ideologies. Tsinoy culture itself has evolved throughout the years, and some young Chinese-Filipinos have grown to position themselves in the center of the spectrum of their nationality. “It’s hard being a tsinoy because [Chinese culture is] so rooted; Filipinos, on the other hand, are more liberal. You’re constantly trying to balance both so the outcome is kind of like a semi-liberal Chinese,” Kim remarks. She quips that most Chinese millennials have diverged from the traditional, stereotypical depictions of a tsinoy, although of course, there are those who remain conservative and continue to implement passed-down values.

Kim also sheds her opinion on her generation’s attitude towards the yearly festivity, adding that although some people have stopped partaking in the annual event completely, some Chinese-Filipinos decide to still continue the tradition. In her case, however, the original context of the festival is substituted for a more universal one—the delight of family gatherings. “There are Chinese who [still] practice, but don’t give it as much importance as it once had. Like in my case, we do the traditional celebrations, but they’re really more of an excuse for the family and relatives to get together as opposed to actually celebrating the real thing,” she opines.

Several families celebrate Chinese New Year, some without even understanding the event’s origin or purpose. For certain families, it is an age-old celebration rooted in tradition; for others, it is an excuse to get together and feast on Chinese delicacies. However, while there are those traditions that remain static, it seems like the actual celebration of the festivity has evolved throughout the years—much like tsinoy culture itself.

Denise Nicole Uy

By Denise Nicole Uy

Paulo Yusi

By Paulo Yusi

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