Chinese New Year is one – if not the most – important celebration for Chinese people. For them, a good start will lead to a good year, hence the festivities and activities observed are geared to usher in a lucky and prosperous new year.
Here in the Philippines, many Filipinos have adopted this tradition, primarily because we have a huge Chinese population and, as a people who love to take a shot at something that would probably bring us luck, we take our chances and do what the Chinese do in hopes of being as lucky as many of them are.
If you’re looking for a place to welcome the Year of the Fire Monkey on an auspicious note, here are some of the places where you can go to celebrate with your family.
City of Dreams Manila: Double celebration
February is a special month for integrated casino resort City of Dreams Manila as it is celebrating its first anniversary and Chinese New Year with a month-long promotion of premium Chinese and global food specialties.
Symbolic New Year fares are currently on offer at Crystal Dragon until Feb. 22. For P3,690++ per person, for a minimum of four to six diners, or P5,690++ for a minimum of six to 10 persons, you and your companions may indulge in Prosperity Salmon Fish Yu Shang with Fruit Salad that symbolizes success, Steamed Cod with Baby Cabbage in Supreme Soy for abundance, and Wok-Fried Glutinous Rice and Wild Rice with Barbecue Pork Meat Wrapped in Lotus Leaf that symbolizes unity.
Meanwhile, Nobu Manila curates hot and cold ala carte dinner selections from Feb. 1 to 29 that include 600 grams of Whole Live Bamboo Lobster Sashimi Nobu Three-Way, Oh-Toro Karashi-Su-Miso, and Whole Live Red Lapu-Lapu Two to Four Ways, among others. Regional Chinese ala carte specialties, such as Braised Pork Trotters in Brown Sauce and Stir-fried Longevity Noodles, will be served up at Noodl8. Chinese sweet treats that are ideal for gifts or for sharing can be purchased at Café Society. Diners in participating outlets will feel luckier as they will receive gift certificates in hong baos for their single receipt purchase worth P4,000.
For restaurant reservations, call (02) 800-8080 or email guestservices@cod-manila.com.
Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria: Embracing the Good Luck
In the heart of Ortigas CBD, another hotel welcomes the good fortune that the Year of the Fire Monkey brings. On February 8, a traditional Lion and Dragon Dance will be going around the hotel to spread good luck and fortune all year round.
Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria’s newest culinary expert Chef Peter Yeung prepared traditional yet healthy favorite Chinese dishes at Xin Tian Di for their Chinese New Year Set Menus. The restaurant’s signature Koi Fish Tikoy (Nian Gao) is also available for pre-selling until February 8 for only P1,088++. If you purchase the Koi Fish Tikoy you instantly get a “Tikoy Loyalty Card” that gives its user a 50 percent discount on a lunch buffet for two to four persons at Seven Corners, or a 50 percent discount on a dim sum lunch buffet for two to four persons at Xin Tian Di.
For booking and reservations call 633-7222 or email fandb.reservations@ihg.com.
Diamond Hotel: Sumptuous treats and lucky charms
Prosperity, luck and power come together in one place and it’s inviting you to come over. Diamond Hotel welcomes the year of the fun-loving monkey with delicious treats at its in-house buffet restaurant Corniche. Enjoy traditional Chinese dishes such as Chinese Roasted Suckling Pig, Steamed Grouper, Peking Duck, Chinese Prawn Salad, Assorted Dimsum, Mango Pudding, and Glutinous Rice Cake (tikoy), from Feb. 5 to 9 for P2,150 nett per person.
Buffet diners on Feb. 8 will be treated to a Lion and Dragon Dance by the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation and a 10-minute feng shui consultation with Angel Macalino (for every P5,000 nett spent at the lunch buffet). Feng shui charms, luck enhancers and guide books from Frigga Charmed Life by Marites Allen will be available at the hotel lobby today until Feb. 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For reservations, call (02) 528-3000 ext. 1121.
Discovery Hotels: Discover the country
Once you have greeted everyone kung hei fat choi, the next thing you must do is start ticking off your 2016 travel bucket list. On Feb. 5 to 7, Discovery Hotels will present its limited-time promotions at the 23rd PTAA Travel Tour Expo.
You don’t need to brave the traffic just to relax as Discovery Suites offers special suite deal packages starting at P4,000++ inclusive of high-speed internet access, buffet breakfast for two at Restaurant 5 and cocktails at Serendipity Lounge. Or re-discover Makati when you stay at Discovery Primea, whose TTE rates start at P9,000++ inclusive of high-speed internet access, gourmet breakfast for two at Restaurant Tapenade and cocktails at the Gilarmi Lounge.
If you can’t resist the cold Tagaytay breeze, drive to Discovery Country Suites and enjoy a relaxing view of Taal Volcano from the outdoor Jacuzzi at the garden. Special rates start at P5,100++ inclusive of Verbena Country Breakfast for two, wine and cheese at sundown, and a bedtime treat of warm milk and cookies. Delight in the sun, sand and sea at Discovery Shores whose TTE packages start at P10,500++ inclusive of buffet breakfast for two at Sands restaurant and round trip Caticlan airport transfers. Or fly to Coron, Palawan and stay at Club Paradise for P7,613++, which is inclusive of buffet breakfast for two at Ocean restaurant.
Visit www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com for more details.
Makati Shangri-La Hotel: Traditional festivities
Makati Shangri-La hotel marks new beginnings and new opportunities for prosperity and good luck with traditional Chinese treats and activities. Usher in the Year of the Fire Monkey by watching the Lion and Dragon dance and fireworks display on Feb. 7 at 11:00 p.m. and on Feb. 8 at 12:30 p.m.
A meal with the family is a must do for the Chinese during this occasion, and Shang Palace got this covered with its special set menus available on Feb. 7 and 8 for P2,288++ (Gold), P3,688++ (Platinum), P4,688++ (Jade) or P6,688++ (Diamond) per person. Each set features a variety of appetizers, soups, desserts and a main course. If dim sum is what you and your family prefer, head over to Isabela Ballroom from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. for the Festive Dim Sum Buffet for only P1,688++ per diner.
To keep the bond of your family stronger and stickier, enjoy Makati Shangri-La’s nian gao (tikoy) that comes in shapes of prosperity fish and traditional gold bar in mango or peanut flavors, available until Feb. 8.
Call restaurant reservations at (02) 814-2580 or e-mail rric.slm@shangri-la.com for inquiries.
Manila Pavilion Hotel: Chinese specialties at Seasons
If it’s Chinese food trip that you want, head over to Manila Pavilion Hotel as it welcomes the Year of the Fire Monkey with a special Oriental-themed cuisine at its interactive lifestyle restaurant, Seasons. Executive chef Giovanni Sias and his team whip up Chinese specialties including Lion’s Head Meatballs, Jiaozi, nian gao (tikoy), long noodles, and symbolic fruits and vegetables that usher in prosperity, good luck, and fortune for the whole year. The special Chinese buffet is available at a discounted rate.
On Feb. 8, bring your entire family to the hotel lobby before 6:00 p.m. to take part in the traditional Lion and Dragon dance performance, coin shower and gastronomic surprises at the Oriental food fest.
For more details, log on to www.waterfronthotels.com.ph or call (02) 526-1212.
Manila Hotel: Grand Dame’s grandiose ceremony
Start the Lunar New Year with flair and fervor at The Manila Hotel as it dresses up for the occasion. Hanging Chinese lanterns and red flowers are sure to delight visitors on Feb. 7 while they witness a special Lion and Dragon dance and fireworks display at the Grand Lobby. After the revelry, they may share an authentic Cantonese Lauriat dinner prepared by Chef Sun Bing with family and friends at the Mabuhay Palace.
A special blessing for prosperity and good health will be given to all guests as feng shui expert Master Joseph Chau Kam Shing together with his son Master Vittorio Chau will share their fortune predictions for the Year of the Fire Monkey. Ticket prices are P2,888 for adults and P1,888 nett for children (aged 5 to 12 years old). In addition, each ticket entitles guests to a copy of Master Joseph Chau’s book, Feng Shui Essentials.
For inquiries and reservations, contact (02) 527-0011 local 1175 to 1179 or visit
www.Manila-Hotel.com.ph.
Marriott Hotel: Lucky fish and lucky jewelry
The sweet and sticky Chinese New Year treat nian gao (tikoy) is believed to bring unity and good luck to both the giver and receiver, while the koi fish is a symbol of longevity, success and prosperity. These two lucky icons come together in Marriott Hotel Manila’s double prosperity Ti-koi fish. You can spread good luck with this gift priced at P1,188. The auspicious gift set is available until Feb. 13.
To add a fashionable twist to the traditions of the Lunar New Year, the hotel is partnering with award-winning jewelry artisan Ann Ong to showcase her latest and luckiest designs for this year. Her handcrafted bags and intricate jewelries, which are believed to bring good energy and prosperity to the bearer, are displayed and sold at Marriott’s lobby.
For inquiries and advance orders, call (02) 988-9999.
Marco Polo Ortigas: Lucky 10
Luck comes in 10 as Marco Polo’s Lung Hin restaurant celebrates the Chinese New Year with two auspicious 10-course set menus featuring food items that represent good fortune and good health.
The Good Fortune set menu, priced at P2,500++ per person, is composed of Suckling Pig Combination Platter, Steamed Dried Scallop, Sea Moss and Winter Melon in Oyster Sauce, Deep Fried Taro Prawns (appetizers), Pumpkin Puree Soup with Seafood (palate cleanser), Baked Lapu-Lapu, Stir-fried Sea Cucumber with homemade XO sauce, Crispy Pigeon Stuffed with Abalone, Morel, Dried Shrimp, and Glutinous Rice (main course), Deep Fried Lotus Buns, and Crystal Custard Dumplings (desserts).
Guests who wish to satiate their palate with lavish seafood dishes may opt for the Good Health set menu that is available for P3,000++ per person. The menu comes with sumptuous and healthy servings of Lotus Root, Sea Moss, Matsutake, Sea Conch, Sliced Abalone and Lung Hin’s Signature Stone Pot Seafood Rice. Tempting desserts of Deep Fried Lotus Buns and Snow Lotus Soup will serve as a sweet and special end to the meal.
To know more about Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Lunar New Year offerings, contact (02) 720-7777 or email manila@marcopolohotels.com.
Pinoy pride in Hong Kong
If you prefer to celebrate the Chinese New Year abroad, head over to Hong Kong and show your support for Iloilo’s Tribu Panayanon that will showcase our diverse cultural heritage and powerful drumbeats at Hong Kong’s highly anticipated Chinese New Year Parade on Feb. 8 in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Resorts World Manila: Chinese food and goods
The one-stop entertainment and leisure destination Resorts World Manila welcomes luck in this year of the Fire Monkey with its month-long Imperial Festival ongoing until Feb. 28. RWM’s The Plaza in Newport Mall will be transformed into Manila’s little Chinatown today, complete with Chinese New Year treats for the whole family.
Shoppers will also get lucky as a Lunar New Year mall sale, featuring enticing discounts from participating tenants, is on offer from Feb. 5 to 8. Guests will also be treated to a Lion and Dragon Dance performance at the Newport Mall on Feb. 9. They may also have the chance to win special prizes in the Lucky Ang Pao Promo at the Newport Mall, the Lucky Fortune Cookie Giveaway at RWM’s signature Cantonese restaurant Passion, and Cinema Roulette at the Newport Cinemas which happens on any day during the festival.
Visit www.rwmanila.com or call (02) 908-8833 for more details.
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila: 10 Secrets to Happiness
In this side of town, the Sofitel presents bountiful feasts that hopefully bring not just luck but at the same time happiness for its guests throughout the year. Through Spiral’s Chinese culinary artisan, Chef Michael Tai, Sofitel brings the 10 secrets to happiness in a culinary interpretation of prosperity, longevity, friends, faith and fortune.
The 10 Secrets to Happiness menu is available until the 10th of February. From abalones, scallops, fish, and crabs, partake of these popular dishes that are traditionally served during the Lunar New Year.
On the 3rd of February, a unique activity will commence at Spiral as it welcomes a fashionable year with the works of Albert Andrada whose designs made pageant headlines recently with his inspired interpretation of the Philippine national costume and evening gown worn by Miss Universe 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. A fashion show will showcase a jewel-toned collection that will turn Spiral into a Lunar New Year runway as guests enjoy the culinary secrets to happiness.
For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 832 6988 or email H6308-fb12@sofitel.com.
New World Manila Bay: Delicious treats and fun activities
As a fitting way to welcome the year of the fun-loving monkey, the New World Manila Bay Hotel prepares a lineup of enjoyable activities for the whole family. The colorful ceremonies start on New Year’s Day at 11:00 a.m. with a traditional Lion and Dragon dance, coin tossing and lighting of the firecrackers at the main lobby.
Meanwhile, people born in the Year of the Monkey can enjoy a complimentary lunch or dinner buffet with a minimum of two paying companions at Market Café on Feb. 8. Other Chinese New Year diners in the restaurant can try their luck at the spin-a-wheel of fortune and enjoy special fortune cookies courtesy or the God of Fortune who will be roaming around.
From today until Feb. 11, Li Li Chinese Restaurant’s Hong Kong master chef Andy Chan serves up a 10-course prosperity lunch and dinner set menu for P23,888 or P36,888 for 10 persons, featuring authentic Cantonese dishes perfect for reunion dinner with the family. The set menu includes Suckling Pig with Jelly Fish, Braised Dried Oyster with Sea Moss, Wok-Fried Prawns with Dried Fungus in Black Bean Sauce, Pan-Fried Cod Fish in Champagne Lemon Sauce, Baked-in-Bouillon Scallop with Shrimp Mousse and Crab Roe, and Braised Whole Abalone and Sea Cucumber in Premium Oyster Sauce. Call (02) 252-6888 for inquiries and reservations.