Kiong Hee Huat Tsai

A friend (I don't remember if it was Fely Co or Rowena Co Ting Keh but I am sure Lance was present) once told me that this is the correct way to say Happy New Year.

So Chinese new year is now a holiday.  Why not?  As we recognize that we have a large Muslim community by marking the beginning and end of Ramadan, so too must we see that there are many Filipino Chinese who adhere to the traditions that their ancestors brought from the mainland.

Making this day a holiday also serves to remind us of the influence of Chinese culture on the Filipino way of life beyond pansit and hopia.  For instance, we call elder siblings as ate and kuya.  Many Tagalo families go as far as addressing the second boy and girl as diko and ditse while the third ones are sangko and sanse.  Feng shui is a common practice in house construction and interior design.

The Philippines is a melting pot.  The Filipino culture is a mix of many different influences.  A lot of people from different nations will recognize something from their own homes in the Filipino way of life.

That's what makes it more fun in the Philippines.

Have a happy Chinese New Year.

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