Until somebody (xenophobic?) ordered the billboards and signage with Chinese characters torn down, Chinatown (Binondo) was a quaint city by itself with the Lorenzo Ruiz Church at the center of it. Up to now, that’s where Chinoys go for a serving of genuine Ling Nam mami-siopao on T. Alonzo St. or servings of maki/machang at Minosa restaurant or a quick bite of Chinese fastfood (kikiam, fishball soup, etc.) at Eng Bee Tin restaurant (just beside the hopia bakery) on Ongpin Street (another famous bakery is Ho-Land on 551 Yuchengco St.). And there are several other iconic restaurants along Carvajal Street.
Sadly, minus those age-old billboards and signages (replaced by only-English ones), Binondo has lost a bit of its charm, even if it’s said to be the oldest Chinatown. Happily, Chinatowns in other cities (San Francisco, London, Los Angeles, New York, etc.) have retained Chinese-language billboards and signages.
A few bridges (Jones, MacArthur, etc.) connect Binondo to the “outside” world, including the soon-to-be-finished one as a “gift” from China to the Philippines.
Oh yes, bridges. In the just-concluded 2019 Mr. and Miss Chinatown pageant, the thrust was “Building Bridges” which are calculated not just to connect two places but to strengthen “Chinese and Filipino cultures aimed at giving birth to the unique Chinoy identity.”
Won by Jonathan Chantong and Nina Tay Lee, the 24 aspirants showcased their #BuildingBridges advocacies. Jonathan’s is #BuildingBridgesThroughAnti-Bullying and Nina’s is #BuildingBridgesThroughGrowingPassion. Jonathan (23, from Xavier School and De La Salle University) and Nina (25, from Immaculate Conception Academy and UST), explain why in the following Conversation:
How different is the Mr. and Miss Chinatown pageant from all the rest?
Jonathan: This year’s pageant focused on building bridges through the different values each candidate supports. Through the three-month preparation, I can say that the people behind Mr. and Miss Chinatown helped shape us individually and as a family. The unique bond we share is something I will always cherish and I’m grateful to have joined this year’s pageant.
Nina: Having gone through this journey, I can say that the Mr. and Miss Chinatown pageant is different from the rest because it aims to showcase the ever-growing identity of the Fil-Chi community, and how we as a community can positively contribute to our society. It breaks down walls of indifference through embracing unique Chinoy culture and tradition which stem from our strong sense of community woven together by our diverse heritage.
The “Building Bridges” thrust of the pageant is commendable. With your titles, how will you help pursue that goal?
Jonathan: “Building Bridges” means creating relationships with others for a common good. As this year’s winner, I hope to be a good example to the Chinoy community and I will take this opportunity to voice out my advocacy on anti-bullying.
Nina: I hope to help pursue the goal through extending my reach to schools and communities not only in Metro Manila but in the other growing Chinoy communities around the Philippines as well. I hope to expose, network and bring to others what the Chinoy community can offer to our society. I want to be able to amplify and make known to everyone how the Chinoy community continues to share and contribute many positive impacts in arts, trade and industry, performing arts, social entrepreneurship and more.
Explain why you chose your #buildingbridges advocacy
Jonathan: I chose to focus on Anti-Bullying as my advocacy. Back in grade school, I experienced it firsthand which made me realize this can greatly affect someone’s life later on. Now I am passionate to support anyone in need and to help them stand up for what they believe in.
Nina: I chose my #GrowingPassion advocacy because I grew up seeing I did not have as much advantage as others. Through this advocacy, I hope to help young adults hone and discover interests and hobbies; open and immerse them to opportunities that will help them build their confidence to pursue careers and professions that are sustainable and fulfilling. My platform hopes to shape young adults become effective members in our society and help improve their individual quality of life.
How much of you is Chinese and how much is Filipino (in terms of family background, food preference, attitude, etc.)?
Jonathan: Both my parents are 100 percent Chinese by blood and they practice the Chinese culture. As a kid, I was taught Chinese-Filipino traditions and in my college years, I was influenced by my friends the Filipino culture. When it comes to food though, I enjoy both equally at home and out.
Nina: Being Chinoy, I really have the best of both worlds. I grew up independent, resilient and empathetic which I believe I learned from being the product of a Fil-Chi household. Independence means knowing what I want and not feeling sorry about my choices — from as simple as deciding if I will be having sinangag or yang chow fried rice, it is still a win-win choice for me because I am Chinoy!
How well-versed are you in Philippine culture/tradition and Chinese culture/tradition?
Jonathan: I was exposed more to the Chinese culture growing up because of my family. However, I met people in college that taught me the “Pinoy way” which made me appreciate the Filipino culture, too.
Nina: I’d like to think I have an equal balance between both Filipino and Chinese culture and tradition. I constantly look forward to celebrating the Feast of Sto. Niño over at my mother’s cousin’s home in Tondo, Manila, where the parade is filled with street performers that celebrates in thanksgiving of Sto. Niño. In turn, closer to my Chinese roots, I would say that I also look forward to celebrating the Chinese New Year at Seng Guan Temple at Narra St. in Binondo. Both these holidays I get excited about because these are days spent that brings me and my family closer together.
What do you think is the difference between the “old” entresuwelo “Ongpin Chinese generation” and the “Greenhills Chinese generation”?
Jonathan: In my opinion, the old Ongpin Chinese generation is more conservative than the Greenhills Chinese generation. The gap is real because the younger generation grew up with the Internet which broadens their perspective in life.
Nina: I think that there isn’t or shouldn’t be much of a difference between the Ongpin and Greenhills Chinese generations because we were nurtured and raised by them. But I would probably say that the major differences of the two generations budded from technology and globalization which fast tracked and absorbed itself to be included in our daily habits. Through that, I believe the Greenhills Chinese generation evolved into becoming more perceptive, intuitive and open-minded people.
What is your take on the Philippine-Chinese issues, particularly vis-a-vis the Philippines’ “Build, Build, Build” program?
Jonathan: Personally, I disagree with the program being funded by the Chinese with unfair interest rates and provisions. I believe our government could have chosen a different country to loan from.
Nina: The Philippines is a growing economy and I believe at this point as the business industry grows, aside from protecting our authority over our lands, our government, people and businesses should shift concern over to our environment. I think all businesses should be required to create corporate social responsibility toward environmental protection.
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