Mayor Honey Lacuna underscored the importance of the long-standing good relations between the city of Manila and the members of the Chinese -Filipino community, as she expressed pride that the city spearheaded the kick-off activities of the Chinese New Year celebration with the lighting of the Prosperity Tree or Money Tree at the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz on Friday, January 24, 2025.
The said activity, where the mayor, who is also chairman of the Manila Chinatown Development Council (MCDC), was joined by Vice Mayor Yul Servo, City Administrator and MCDC Vice chair Bernie Ang, Congressman Joel Chua, third district Councilors Fa Fugoso and Karen Alibarbar as well as Manila Chinatown Barangay Organization president and candidate for Councilor Jeff Lau, was also attended by Department of Tourism Regional Director Sharlene Batin as well as MCDC director Willord Chua and representatives from various Manila-based Chinese-Filipino organizations.
In her message, Lacuna took pride in Manila being the home of the oldest Chinatown in the world, saying a visit to the capital city will never be complete without having the Chinatown in one’s itinerary, citing how it continues to draw millions of local and foreign tourists.
“This Prosperity Tree is not just an ordinary tree as it represents hope, luck and blessing for the New Year… a symbol of the abundant contributions of the Manila Chinatown in the city’s progress and bright future ahead over the centuries that we have gone through together,” the mayor said.
According to Lacuna her administration deeply values the influences that the Chinatown “has brought to our lives as a significant part of our culture and a symbol of unity and cooperation amongst our Filipino-Chinese friends.”
“It has shown much influence in our city’s character, economy, trade and industry. This is a momentous event as we gear towards the celebration of the Year of the Wood snake which signifies transformation and embracing change,” she added.
Manila, according to Lacuna, has already become synonymous with the 430-year-old Manila Chinatown, which she described as one of the ultimate places to visit, stressing that the city cannot promote Manila without its visitors experiencing the complete unique encounters with places and faces in Chinatown.
Chua, for his part, said that the lighting of the prosperity tree is the kickstart of the Chinese Spring Festival Celebration is a much celebrated and considered as the most important event in Chinese culture.
“For this, as we light the prosperity tree, I fervently wish each and everyone of you a prosperous year ahead and may the coming new year bring so much blessings and good luck to all of us,” Rep. Chua said.
The Money Tree is a symbol of wealth and good luck, believed to bring prosperity and business success. It is often given as a token of respect or in the hope that it will bring blessing and spiritual guidance.
Lacuna, Servo and Chua also led the lion eye-dotting ceremony and the opening of the Manila Chinatown Food Bazaar during the event which also featured a colorful lion dance, among others. Chinese culture has it that the eye-dotting ritual is believed to awaken the lion or dragon to fulfil its duty of bringing about protection, good luck, health and prosperity to those present in the occasion.
The lighting ceremony signaled the start of the weeklong Chinese New Year celebration in Manila, with the Manila Chinatown as the center of various forms of revelry.
On January 28, the countdown to usher the Chinese New Year will be held on Jones Bridge, highlighted by a drone show and colorful fireworks display, to be followed by a grand parade in Chinatown on January 29, 2025.
