Chinese New Year at Manila Pavilion Hotel

We may be in the Philippines, and some of us may hate the Chinese for taking some of our precious islands, but when Chinese New Year hits the world, there's definitely one big and colorful celebration in every little Chinatown in the world to usher this new beginning.

And last Chinese New Year, February 19, since the government finally declared it as a special non-working holiday in the whole country, I went out to somehow celebrate this festive day with some friends. Guess where our feet took us? Yep, to the newly renovated Manila Pavilion Hotel!

This Chinese New Year, Manila Pavilion Hotel highlighted the sounding and colorful festivity of our fellow Filipino-Chinese through an Oriental buffet that features the most amazing and filling dishes of our Chinese friends.

Food Tripping in Manila's Chinatown

Considered one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, Manila's Chinatown, or Ongpin to some, is a place full of history and gastronomic discoveries that every Lafangero can enjoy. From their round and colorful fruits that are often symbolizes good luck to sticky and oily Chinese dishes that are just so hard to resist, Chinatown is one place every good eater must experience.

Different Flavors of Tikoy

If you are going tomorrow to see and experience the celebration of Chinese New Year here in Ongpin, make sure that your feet and your tummy, as well as your pockets, are ready for a unique fusion of Chinese and Filipino cultures in a place where food and history go hand-in-hand.

For fresh fruits, the stretch of Ongpin Street is basically full of vendors selling different kinds, mostly rounded. There are some who gives good discount, while there are others that are quite okay. There are also some stores that sell fruits that you won't usually see in other stores or places except here in Ongpin Street. Do check out Carvajal Street for you to know what I am saying.