0126.jpg)
[Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network] The Spring Festival is not only an important festival for Chinese people all over the world, but even non-Chinese people in many countries are deeply affected by this festive atmosphere. In the Philippines, the Chinese New Year is designated as a holiday by the government. Many locals will say "Gong Xi Fa Cai" with a non-standard Cantonese accent when they meet Chinese people during the Spring Festival. Some Chinese even said that Filipinos love the Spring Festival "more than the Chinese".
Several Philippine presidents have designated the Spring Festival as a "non-working holiday" to allow Filipinos and Chinese to celebrate together. Although the majority of Filipinos are Catholics, they are extremely tolerant of other religions and customs, and some people are even more reluctant to visit Chinese temples during the Spring Festival, and even light incense in front of the cross to pray for blessings. The traditional Chinese dragon and lion dance is a favorite Spring Festival performance for Filipinos.
In addition, the Spring Festival is also the busiest time for Chinese feng shui masters. Filipinos are curious about this Chinese tradition, and they also listen to it with great interest when watching TV or radio feng shui masters' analysis. Also, some traditional Chinese Spring Festival food can be bought in major shopping malls.
