The incoming Year of the Pig is all about abundance, whether it be of happiness and gratitude, or something more tangible such as financial fortune. As the Pig is the symbol of wealth and is considered to imbibe a grateful and cheerful personality, there's no harm in trying to maximize your luck during such an auspicious event. In fact, why not venture out on your own and enjoy the many interesting events within and outside the metro as you joyfully close another 12-year lunar cycle?
Here are a few things to do (or shop!):
Wear your luck.
It’s common knowledge that red symbolizes good luck. Go fiery this Chinese New Year and call the positive vibes in.
TRY: Superdry limited-edition hoodie, available in Superdry SM Mega Fashion Hall and Ayala Center Cebu
TRY: Keds limited-edition sneakers red-and-gold Triple Kick, P3,295, or the clean white Triple CVO, P3,795, available at department stores
Both come with a cute golden pig pendant.
TRY: Skechers GOWalk Revolution Ultra - Black Multi, P4,195 at department stores
Tour Binondo on foot.
Binondo has always been a lively place full of yummy secrets that every foodie would love to discover—but it truly comes to life during the Chinese New Year with people turning back to age-old traditions and wishing each other good fortune.
TRY: Dong Bei Dumplings, as featured on Yummy.ph. Watch how they create them from scratch at their store front!
Buy what you deserve (without feeling guilty about it)!
Sometimes you stick with something old para lang makatipid that you end up actually making things harder for yourself. An old phone is a pretty good example. If you’re the kind of woman who refuses to give up her beat-up phone because replacing it would be expensive, think of it this way—it’ll be more expensive if you lose information when it suddenly crashes on you. Don’t feel guilty about spending for what you need and deserve. Instead, be grateful. That will keep the good vibes rolling in.
TRY: Honor 10 Lite with a 24MP AI selfie camera and a dual 13MP+2MP AI main camera, P10,900 at authorized resellers
TRY: OPPO F9, now for only P15,900 (from P17,900), in Starry Purple, Twilight Blue, andSunrise Red
Know your fortune.
If you're curious to know how the Year of the Pig will turn out for you, why not listen to a Feng Shui master? Get to attend a Taoist Ritual Blessing Ceremony and enjoy dragon and lion dances as well.
TRY: Marco Polo Ortigas’ Chinese New Year Celebration with Feng Shui Master Joseph Chau, February 5, 11 a.m. at the hotel’s lobby. You can also buy their nian gao (tikoy) starting at P798 For more information, call (02) 720-7720 or e-mail restaurant.mnl@marcopolohotels.com.
Eat well.
It’s time to celebrate, after all! Book a table in one of the many top-tier restos in Metro Manila and enjoy a date with yourself. If you’re scared to eat alone, bring a book. Trust us, time alone with yourself will help quiet your mind.
TRY: East Café’s special offers including Peking Style Pork Chop and many others in Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-la, and Gateway
TRY: Yu Lei Chinese New Year Menu at Okada from February 4 to 5. For P6,888++ per person, get to enjoy “eight types of Chinese New Year appetizers, double-boiled flower mushroom and chicken soup, stir-fried prawns and broccoli in chili sauce, roasted chicken, steamed red grouper, braised pork knuckle, salmon fried rice, and deep-fried black sesame ball.”
Fly out.
Nothing beats the freedom of enjoying a solo trip. If you want to head somewhere close, try Hong Kong and experience a different kind of Chinese New Year. You can even simply stay at Harbour City and enjoy many of the traditional celebrations without walking far.
TRY: Mix a lucky meal of Lo Hei, enjoy a bowl of kiat-kiat, and welcome the year of the Pig at Harbour City Hong Kong
