Skip to main content

Getting ready for the Chinese New Year 2017, the Year of the Rooster

Getting ready for the Chinese New Year 2017, the Year of the Rooster
Alright, it's time to experience one of Manila’s liveliest and most colorful celebrations!

The Chinese New Year in the Binondo district attracts crowds of people each year and is celebrated over explosions of vibrant colors and cultural experiences.

Happening on January 28, 2017, the once-a-year event will feature lion & dragon dances, firecracker celebrations, parades, marching bands, and surely enough, the different food and dishes that Chinese folks are known for (tikoy, pansit canton, siopao, dimsum, mami, roasted meat & seafood, etc.).

The Chinese New Year 2017 is the Year of the Red Fire Rooster. It starts from January 28th 2017 and extends up to February 15th 2018.

The Rooster is tenth in the Chinese zodiac. Each year is related to an animal sign according to a 12-year cycle. Years of the Rooster include 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029.

READ: Chinatown Photowalk 2017: Shooting the streets of Manila's "Little China"


Chinese Horoscopes

According to most Chinese folks, this is the year when you will need to work hard and be patient in order to achieve your goals.

This Year of the Rooster is ruled by the fire element and it is a Yin year. This is the time to be spent in solitude and harmony with friends and family.

The lucky colors for this year are earth colored items like brown or yellow . Chinese horoscopes say that if you use these colors in your daily life, everything that you take interest in will turn out the way you want it to. In other words, it is like a good luck charm blessing you with abundance and prosperity.

For the love-struck millenials, this is an excellent year for singles to get married. If already married, it's a lucky year to get pregnant.


Photowalk

The Chinatown in the Binondo district is the oldest in the whole world, established in 1594, and is located in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Manila. Each section of Chinatown offers a different experience, and when the streets erupt into celebration, the results are fantastic.

The Chinese New Year celebration is a day of excitement and exploration. This is a time for street photography and action photography, with lots of opportunities to capture the spirit of this event.

Equipment? Carry light. Trust me! I've been celebrating the Chinese New Year in Manila for the past several years and this had taught me to carry fewer gear as I can.

Bring one camera and one mid-range zoom (like the 10-22mm, 16-35mm, 18-55mm or the 24-70mm) lenses. You can also bring a prime lens (35mm or 50mm) for your portrait shots. Remember to bring lens hoods (if it's a sunny day) and plastic bags just in case it rains. No tripods and no backpacks, not unless you have a personal assistant with you to carry those stuff. And please, park your car outside the Binondo area, it's impossible to drive inside Chinatown on this day.

What to wear? Comfortable, thin clothing and comfortable footwear. Expect to walk a lot (that's why it's called a photowalk, remember?) I use a pair of sandals and carry a towel to wipe those sweat away. Bring and wear whatever that works for you.


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS POST?
Share your ideas by commenting.

Comments

Popular Posts

What to do when you get a HIT on your NBI clearance

A "Hit" on your NBI clearance after your long queue at the NBI satellite office. UPDATED January 2020 Department of Justice (DOJ) Circular 017, or the multi-purpose clearance does  away with the usual separate applications for domestic employment, travel abroad, gun licensing and many others, thereby making it easier for people to obtain and use an NBI clearance. Are you applying for your NBI clearance? The National Bureau of Investigation office has stopped entertaining walk-ins after the implementation of the fully online application process for NBI clearance. The registration and appointment system for the NBI clearance are done online nationwide. Applicants may accomplish the application form at www.doj.gov.ph/nbi , www.nbi.gov.ph , and clearance.nbi.gov.ph . READ: Complete Guide To nCoV: How Not To Misinform Yourself About The Coronapocalypse After registering online, applicants may proceed to any of the NBI sites nationwide for the payment and biom...

Jollibee turns Kids Meals into collectibles with Pokémon Evolution Surprise

Jollibee is turning its Kids Meals into collectible items with the launch of the Pokémon Evolution Surprise , a limited time toy promotion featuring Pokémon . Pikachu takes a photo with fans and community members in attendance. From February 1 to March 31, every Jollibee Kids Meal will include one Pokémon toy hidden inside a surprise box. Customers can collect 10 different figures, featuring well-known Pokémon and their evolved forms such as Pichu and Pikachu, Psyduck and Golduck , Munchlax and Snorlax, Vulpix and Ninetales, and Riolu and Lucario . The Philippines’ no. 1 fastfood chain said the promotion is meant to make family dining more engaging by adding an element of surprise and play to the Kids Meal experience. The new Jollibee Kids Meal Pokémon Evolution Surprise contains 10 Pokémon, five in their single-stage form, and five in their evolved forms. “Pokémon is one of the most love...

Krispy Kreme Celebrates Valentine’s Day with its Choc-full-of-Love Collection

This Valentine’s Day, Krispy Kreme is spreading the love with its Choc-full-of-Love , made with Ruby Chocolate , a limited-time collection of heart-shaped doughnuts and a latte made to share, gift, and enjoy with the people who matter most this season of love. Perfect for sweet, romantic gestures or just friendly surprises, or maybe self-love moments, the Choc-full-of-Love Collection puts a Valentine twist to their world-famous doughnuts by turning it into iconic heart-shaped doughnuts: Ruby Pistachio Swirl – A heart-shaped doughnut, dipped in pistachio chocolate coating, topped with ruby chocolate swirls, pistachio-custard topping, and ruby chocolate bits. Ruby Raspberry Bliss – A heart-shaped doughnut, dipped in ruby chocolate coating, sides-coated with dried raspberry bits, and finished with berry topping. Ruby Cheesecake Dream –...

Two Favorite Flavors, One Perfect Fusion: A Valentine Special

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about grand gestures or perfectly planned dates. It’s about celebrating the kind of love where two different people come together—each with their own personality, their own strengths—and choose to meet in the middle. The kind of love that doesn’t dim itself to work. The kind that becomes better because of the contrast. That same idea comes to life in Red Ribbon ’s Chocolate Strawberry Romance Cake—a dessert inspired by what happens when two bold favorites come together and create something unforgettable. Two Strong Flavors. One Perfect Match. Chocolate and strawberry are Valentine’s icons for a reason. Chocolate is rich, indulgent, and confidently deep. Strawberry is bright, fresh, and delightfully bold. Each stands strong on its own—but together, they strike a balance that feels effortless and intentional. Like a true power couple. Shaped into a heart and wrapped in silky chocolate ganache, the Chocolate ...

What the LTO says about changing mag wheels, rims and tires of your car, motorcycle

The new LTO PMVIC, or the Land Transportation Office - Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers, has started operations in some parts of the country for inspections of cars and motorcycles due for registration renewal. Dubbed as MVIS (Motor Vehicle Inspection System), it aims to test the roadworthiness of private and commercial vehicles prior to their registration. This also includes the checking of modifications, upgrades and accessories that have been installed on your vehicles - whether factory or aftermarket. If they don't meet LTO standards, you fail the test. Failing the MVIS test means you have to retake the inspection and worse, you can't register your vehicle any more. For purposes of discussion, I chose to talk about wheels and tires because they are the most frequently modified parts of our cars and motorcycles. Now comes the question: Is it considered illegal to replace your wheels with aftermarket mag wheels? Can those u...

Titan Tough, Everyday Ready: How the REDMI Note 15 Series is built for real life

Smartphones are often discussed in controlled environments—perfect lighting, clean benchmarks, ideal conditions. Real life rarely looks like that, especially outside controlled demos and reviews. Days overlap, plans shift, and devices are expected to work quietly in the background without constant care. That expectation clearly resonated with consumers. On its first day of sale, Xiaomi recorded a 137% increase in units sold versus the previous generation, underscoring strong real-world demand rather than lab-driven hype. Launched recently, the REDMI Note 15 Series , together with the REDMI Buds 8 Lite and Mijia Smart Audio Glasses , reflects how Xiaomi approaches everyday technology. The focus is not luxury for display, but Titan Tough reliability for daily use—durable enough for everyday wear, dependable in power, and flexible for how people actually move through the day. A Smartphone That Keeps Up At the center of the ec...

Skip the flowers: Max’s Corner Bakery has a Bouquet Cake for Valentine’s

If your Valentine’s gift shortlist always comes down to two things, flowers or dessert, Max’s Corner Bakery is making the decision easier. The brand is introducing the Bouquet Vanilla Cream Cake , styled like a tulip bouquet at first glance and made to be sliced and shared for dessert. Available as the Pink Tulip Bouquet and Red Tulip Bouquet, the Bouquet Vanilla Cream Cake is made with vanilla chiffon, light strawberry cream filling, cream cheese frosting, and edible buttercream tulips . Prices start at ₱525, available in 5-inch and 8-inch sizes. The Bouquet Vanilla Cream Cake is available in Max’s Restaurant Luzon stores (except Bicol). Customers may pre-order online via https://order.maxscornerbakery.ph/ or https://delivery.maxschicken.com/. Pre-orders require a 5–7 day lead time, and orders must be placed at least 5 days before the preferred pick-up date. Walk-in same-day purchases are also available in-store...

A New Reno Rises: OPPO Reno15 Series 5G Is set to redefine travel storytelling in the Philippines

Travel today isn’t about rushing from one destination to the next. It’s about lingering a little longer, noticing more, and letting moments unfold. As Filipinos embrace slower, more intentional ways of exploring, the way we capture travel has evolved too straight from the palm of our hands. Designed for this new rhythm, the OPPO Reno Series invites travelers to truly Make Your Moment with the introduction of the OPPO Reno15 Series 5G . Built to move with you, it helps transform everyday experiences into beautifully told stories, capturing emotion, atmosphere, and connection as they naturally unfold. The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G travels the country, to capture more reasons why people should #LoveThePhilippines, through the lens of its 4K HDR Ultra-Steady Video, 50MP Ultra Wide Selfie Camera , AI Motion Photo Popout , and 3.5x Telephoto Vibe portrait. The first leg of this journey begins in Bukidnon ’s misty highlands to the country’s crystal-...

How much is the penalty for 5 years late registration of motorcycles?

UPDATED December, 2020 Got late in your motorcycle registration renewal? Driving an unregistered motor vehicle carries with it a fine of P3,000 if apprehended by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officers and P10,000 if by LTO traffic personnel. Worse, if the non-registration exceeded one month, the vehicle will be impounded and released only once the vehicle has been registered and the corresponding fines and penalties have been paid. To help you prepare for your visit at the LTO, here's a brief guide on how much money you're going to spend on your motorcycle registration renewal. READ: Complete Guide To nCoV: How Not To Misinform Yourself About The Coronapocalypse What's covered in this guide? 1. LTO penalty formula by weeks 2. Sample computation (if 5 years late) 3. How to renew your motorcycle registration  - Requirements  - 5 step guide YOU MAY WANT TO WATCH:  Motorcycle Transfer of Ownership and Renewal of Registration ...

LTOPF, gun registration is now online! 9 easy steps to do it

UPDATED January, 2020 A "provisional" License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) will now be available for all gun holders who need to renew their firearms. The provisional LTOPF is exclusive only to gun holders with existing firearms and will no longer require a drug/neuro test. It will be valid for six months. The LTOPF for first-time gun purchases, however, still require the drug/neuro tests. --- o --- READ: Complete Guide To nCoV: How Not To Misinform Yourself About The Coronapocalypse Gun owning just got easier. The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently launched the online system for all LTOPF and gun registration applications. Called the PNP License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Firearms Registration System, the program aims to eliminate the long hours of waiting in applying for a license, and reduces the inconvenience of traveling from your residence to a PNP satellite office. Here's how it works, according to the PNP's Inf...