Lunar New Year

For our Chinese Filipino friends, last weekend was the start of another new year. It is also commonly known as the Lunar New Year, where the new lunar cycle begins. To those who do not celebrate with this community, it is just another holiday. To me, I'd like to believe it is another opportunity to reset and manage our goals. This year is dependent on the charts of the animal Chinese zodiac based on the old tale of the race to be first to reach the jade emperor. I'd like to believe that the dragon symbolizes great determination and leadership, as it also seeks to protect us.

Then again, it is not the charms and crystals that will dictate our faith. One's action will triumph the individual in whatever circumstance. However, I enjoy the cultural aspect of this celebration. I grew up in a fairly Chinese community where there were customs and traditions to follow. One, I found ridiculous but would fondly also do is to avoid washing the hair on the day of the New Year. This is so that luck and prosperity would not be washed away. Wearing the color red is also a staple, as well as eating food that symbolizes all your wishes.

The Chinese did not just only enrich our culture but also gave life to our economy. Our trading skills date back to when the Chinese came to our shores. They brought with them goods to exchange with what we have. In the National Museum Cebu, there are artifacts of objects that were supposed to be traded but whose vessels were shipwrecked. It is a testament to how our business skills were enhanced with their arrival. They showed us that the way to life is to be wise with all our investments. In fact, most individuals who dominate the business scene today have Chinese roots.

Thus, it is not a reason for us to degrade or shun away from our Chinese ancestry. They are part of who we are today even with the three centuries of Spanish colonization. What we are trying to piece out now, is the negotiations on our property, specifically the shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines remains mum on its action until today, despite multiple attempts to harass our own boats in resupply missions. There seems to be a lack of respect to the laws that bind our territories. It is sad that we have to resort to a dispute.

I love Chinese culture as it is colorful and vibrant. Their principles are practical, ascertaining one's character with no beating around the bush. Its food is incomparable to other cultures, distinct and full of flavor. We can meet halfway with being in good ties with one another as we change culture, but the way we are treated for our own territory is unacceptable. At the end of the day, it is about respecting laws and international treaties as a form of civility towards other nationalities.