The year of the rat
恭喜发财 – gōng xǐ fā cái in Manila
It seems like yesterday as we rang in 2020, and now I'm gearing up for another big celebration – Chinese New Year.
It's the beginning of a new year and new fortunes I am celebrating it in one of the oldest Chinatowns in the country (and some say even the world).
The countdown and street party starts at Binondo's Plaza San Ruiz, and on the day itself, January 25, I joined the guys and a group of avid photographers of Fujifilm strolling through the streets of Binondo and Sta. Cruz.
Nowadays, everyone is more or less familiar with all the myths, legends, and fairytales we still have in modern society today. The photo theme was "tradition," so I thought about why the Chinese celebrate the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) the way they do? Is it about the red decorations and firecrackers? Is it about the noise to get rid of evil spirits? Is it about family gathering? Is there some unique tradition in the Philippines?
The Spring Festival a great time of celebration. Welcoming the new year with a smile and let the prosperity and peace continue on. At the same time, the Spring Festival includes strict ceremonies to wish for a vigorous harvest. And there are people, always people in high numbers.
As I thought this was the main issue to get a decent shot in the mass of humans gathering in the streets. I took my time searching. Could a solution be to go for minimalism and even black and white? I'm not sure, but this is what I got.
