Socyberty » Chinese New Year

Heaviest Baby Born in China

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:13:59 +0000

Babies weighing more than seven pounds, was born on February 4 in China. Local media reported that it could break new records in the country’s heaviest baby.

[Shang Lili, Mom & Children's Service Center Xinxiang]:
“Normal baby usually weighs six to eight pounds. This baby is two times heavier than normal. “

The mother and her baby boy is now in good health at the hospital Xinxiang, Henan Province.

The boy was named Chun Chun, was born after the Chinese New Year. Year of the dragon is considered a special year to have children.

[Han Jingang, Chun Chun's Father]:
“My wife did not differ from other pregnant mothers. He ate and drank normally, but she gave birth to a boy big and fat. Today is the first spring in Chinese calendar, and he is a baby dragon. I am very happy. “

The mother sensed something special.

[Wang Yujuan, Mrs. Chun Chun]:
“I feel the body is more rigid than when my daughter pregnant. My stomach is greater than that time. I think the baby will probably be about 10 to 11 pounds, I do not think he weighs 15 pounds and a half. “

The state news agency Xinhua said, between 2008 and 2010, had three babies born weighing 15 pounds in China. They have won the record for the heaviest baby born in the country.

According to the official website of Guinness World Records, the heaviest baby record achieved by the infant in Ohio, United States, who weighs almost 24 pounds, but he died several hours after birth.

Year of The Dragon Roars Into Asia

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:04:56 +0000

From Malaysia to South Korea, millions of people traveled huge distances to reunite with their families for Lunar New Year — the most important holiday of the year for many in Asia — indulging in feasts or watching dragon dances. As the clock hit midnight, Beijing’s skyline lit up with color as families across the Chinese capital set off boxes and boxes of fireworks to ward off evil spirits in the new year — a scene repeated across the country. Those living in the Philippines, meanwhile, were able to sleep in on Monday after the Lunar New Year became an official holiday for the first time, despite objections from some in the business community. The dragon is the most favorable and revered sign in the 12-year Chinese zodiac — a symbol of royalty, fortune and power that is also used in other cultures that see in the Lunar New Year, such as in Vietnam. As such, hospitals across China and in Chinese communities are bracing for a baby boom as couples try to have a child this year. Nannies in Beijing and neighboring Tianjin are charging more in 2012, and the beds in the capital’s Maternity Hospital are all booked up until August, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong even took advantage of the Dragon to call on the country’s residents to boost a stubbornly low birth rate, in an attempt to reduce the government’s heavy reliance on foreign workers. ”I fervently hope that this year will be a big Dragon Year for babies… This is critical to preserve a Singapore core in our society,” he said in his new year message. But in Hong Kong, where tens of thousands of pregnant mainlanders come to give birth every year to gain residency rights for their babies, the Dragon may not prove such a boon as it could exacerbate problems such as limited beds and soaring delivery costs. And according to some astrologers and geomancers, the Dragon may bring natural disasters and financial volatility to an already destabilized world. Hong Kong feng shui master Anthony Cheng warned a “scandalous corruption case” would rock China in the second half of 2012, and also said high-ranking Chinese officials would be forced to step down, thrown behind bars or even die. But people across Asia disregarded the doomsday predictions over the holiday, preferring to feast and celebrate with their families, and pray at temples or pagodas. Highways in Malaysia, where 25 percent of the population is ethnic Chinese, were clogged at the weekend while the capital Kuala Lumpur became almost deserted as people traveled home. In South Korea, which also celebrates the Lunar New Year, more than half of the entire population — or some 31 million people — took to roads, railways and planes for the holiday. But stores in the capital Seoul — normally quiet at this time of year — bustled with activity as tens of thousands of tourists from China swamped major shopping areas to spend an expected 100 billion won ($88 million) in January. ”I feel like I’m walking on the street in China. There are so many of them,” Park Eun-Yong, a South Korean college student, told AFP

Gong Xi Fat Cai

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:21:05 +0000

My friends, who today celebrates the Chinese New Year Feast 2563,

I Delivering

Gong Xi Fat Cai

May we all always be blessed with health, peace, prosperity in the family, and success in business and our professional careers.

Let the new year, we stop the habit of saying “If I get more money, lucky” – WITHOUT followed by action..

themselves to be valued and paid higher.

May God make our friendship a friendly and mutually glorify it as a channel for the good of ourselves and our beloved families.

Aamiin

It’s The Chinese New Year!

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:38:48 +0000

Dragon performers: Image via Wikipedia

The Chinese New Year begins in January or February and is more correctly known as the Lunar New Year. It is celebrated all over Eastern Asia. In some areas it is also called the Spring Festival. The Lunar Year is divided into twelve animal signs that each have corresponding character traits. The twelve signs are also applied to the 12 year lunar cycle, a cycle that has been in use for 4710 years. This is the Year of the Dragon and it begins on the 23 January.

The Chinese New Year has many traditions associated with it. It is a time of renewal so debts are paid off and houses are cleaned top to bottom to removed bad luck. The home is decorated with fruit and flowers, fruits such as mandarins and tangerines have the meanings of luck and wealth. Red good luck couplets, papers with Chinese characters that mean luck, long life and prosperity, are hung as decorations in homes and businesses as are lanterns. New red clothes are worn and gifts of money in red envelopes, lai see, are given to children and unmarried adults. Red wards off evil spirits A whole fish, long noodles and dumplings (potstickers) are served at the New Year meal so that the family with have abundance, prosperity and good fortune from the beginning (head of the fish) of the the year to its end (tail), long life (noodles) and the dumplings refers to the hope for more children. Meanings are derived from the similarity of the word for fish or tangerine to the words for luck and prosperity. At midnight, people set off firecrackers to chase away any bad luck that might be hanging around their door from the previous year. The ancestors and household gods are honoured with incense. The full celebratory period is fifteen days and most people try to go home for the festivities.

This Year of the Dragon is also the Year of the Water Dragon. In Eastern philosophy, dragons are bringers of fortune, new beginnings and represent authority and power. The twelve signs have five elements that modify their characteristics. These elements are water, fire, earth, metal and air. Together the twelve signs and five elements create a 60 year lunar calendar. Water is said to temper the dragons risky nature and encourage patience and conservatism. With all the less favourable predictions for 2012, patience is a quality much needed.

Japanese Dragon, 19th century: Image via Wikipedia

The Twelve Signs of the Chinese Zodiac

Dragon: risk-takers

Snake: charismatic

Horse: stability

Sheep: calm

Monkey: mischievousness

Rooster: pompousness

Dog: loyalty

Pig: generosity

Rat: witty

Ox: dependability

Tiger: unpredictability

Rabbit:sensitivity

For further information: http://www.astrologizeme.com/chinese-2012.shtml

http://www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/

http://www.chinesezodiac.com/

http://www.news1130.com/entertainment/article/318229–2012-the-year-of-the-dragon

http://www.about-sichuan-china.com/year-of-the-dragon.html

http://www.gotohoroscope.com/chinese-zodiac-dragon.html

Photos: http://www.picable.com/Food/Desserts/Winterlude-2011.3354039

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2090516/Happy-Chinese-New-Year-2012-Millions-welcome-Year-Of-The-Dragon.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/9031063/Chinese-Year-of-the-Dragon-celebrations.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2012/jan/22/chinese-new-year-celebrations-pictures

Predictions: http://lifewise.canoe.ca/Living/2012/01/15/19254096.html

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/221202/riding-dragon-2012-predictions-chinese.html

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/01/15/predictions-year-of-the-dragon

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jackperkowski/2012/01/04/mtds-predictions-for-the-year-of-the-dragon/

http://goarticles.com/article/2012-year-of-the-Dragon-Prediction/5908938/

http://pinoybusiness.org/2011/09/19/2012-year-of-the-dragon-predictions-forecast/

http://www.cowizm.com/2012/01/11/2012-year-of-the-dragon-prediction-you-must-know/

http://fengshuidiy.com/2012-year-of-the-dragon-predictions-for-rat-ox-tiger-and-rabbit/

http://vidayfamilia.univision.com/bebe/buscando-hijo/article/2012-01-18/asia-espera-un-boom-de-bebes-dragon?refPath=/wires

http://vidayfamilia.univision.com/horoscopos/horoscopo-chino/article/2011-02-28/horoscopo-chino-el-dragon

http://vidayfamilia.univision.com/horoscopos/horoscopo-chino/article/2012-01-10/2012-es-el-ano-del-dragon-de-agua

Singapore during the Lunar/Chinese New Year: Image via Wikipedia

Dragon Galore

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:21:20 +0000

As we enter into the Lunar New Year, we are all excited. It is the year of the water dragon.

Dragon can be seen all over the place. Recently a bigger than life size dragon was found in our community park.

The above dragon was taller than the basket ball net and as you can see from the background probably as tall as a two storey house. This was inflated in preparation for either a wedding or some kind of festive function.

You could also see some dragon decorations in the mall. Here is one:

Dragon has always been the most powerful symbol in Chinese history. Many wish to have dragon babies, that is why babies born on the year of the dragon is much more compare to other years.

Here is another dragon:

Some really long dragons found in the mall:

Here are some cute dragons:

It is interesting that oriental dragons are usually long compared to Western dragons that are much shorter. To get an illustration, here are some western dragon from “Dragons of Atlantis”

A water dragon after a battle:

Finally, here are some famous Dragons:

Patrick Swayze (movie star)

Imran Khan (cricket player)

Sandra Bullock (movie star)

Keanu Reeves (movie star)

So for you dragons out there, which type of dragon are you?

Chinese New Year: Wet, Noisy and Raw

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:52:57 +0000

I haven’t headed off anywhere for the Chinese Winter holiday and there’s still three weeks left. I’m just getting over a sniffy cold and some headaches. Still, I may go somewhere if I can be bothered, and if I can book a ticket on some form of transport. Otherwise, I’m soaking up some of the Chinese New Year atmosphere (excuse the pun – it is raining) which is just taking off.

About a week ago, streams of red lanterns were strung around everyhere, arguably the most famous of the decorations that are festooned. Tasselled shaped cloth ornaments are hung up, usually in people’s houses or on the front of doors. The lanterns are strung everywhere, inside and out.

A few blocks from where I’m living, street sellers manning moving stalls have them all cluttered with strings of red and red: cloths of chilies, lanterns, the tasselled, and all sorts of dragon designs as well as keeping the precious decorations covered over with thick plastic tarpaulins. I repeat – it has and is raining – and this year’s animal or mascot sign is the dragon which, tying in the with the Spring Festival celebrations, means good luck and authority. The rest of the festival means happiness, contentment, getting together with friends, associates and family which is why Chinese go to town during this time and hand make their ‘Jaozi’ – dumplings, dough wrapped in meat fillings which are boiled.

Chinese, usually, find it hard to resist setting off bangers and pther fireworks. The Spring Festival celebrations are no exception. If you are looking for a quiet time because it’s the holidays, forget it. I was just hitting the sack the other night, thinking all was going to be quiet on the western front, when all of a sudden, firecrackers were set off – a five-minute din which sounded as though everything was crashing or raining down all around.

The wet weather has an unpleasant raw feeling – wet and an extra dose of cold clashing – so it wasn’t ideal for staying out too long.

The nearest supermarket was driving me nuts. I hate crowded places at the best of times, but shopping trolleys and bodies in the way was just the last straw, particularly as Chinese are absolutely unconscious of showing any consideration if they knock against or brush your body with themselves, their baskets, their trolleys. I kept my elbow out bent on purpose.

So, there you have them…some of the Chinese New Year Festival happening in a nutshell. They’re a bit like Christmas and New Year in the west, although not quite, either.

Chinese New Year 2012: Books for Children

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:34:04 +0000

With the Chinese New Year landing on January 23 this year, teaching your children about Chinese culture can be a rewarding experience. Enjoying Chinese food may be just one way to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, but enjoying a book about the life and culture of the Chinese will introduce children to a recorded history dating back to 1800 B.C.E. in China. Laurence Yep and Pearl S. Buck are two of the best-known authors of children’s books about the Chinese, but there are also many younger generation Chinese writers of stories meant to educate and entertain children. Below is a list of selected books designated for several different age groups:

“Dragonwings” by Laurence Yep is one of the best known youth books on Chinese-American culture. This Newberry Medal winning book is about a young Chinese boy who moves to San Francisco and experiences racism as well as identity struggle between his ethnicity and American culture. Readers of Yep’s book will be able to relate to it, no matter what their ethnicity or race is. Suitable for children aged 9 to 15.

“My First Chinese New Year” by Karen Katz tells the story of a young Chinese girl who celebrates her first Chinese New Year. This book is intended for children between the ages of 3 and 6.

“Along the River” by Adeline Yen Mah. This is a modern Chinese variation of Cinderella about a girl named CC who goes into a coma after falling from a rooftop. While she is at the hospital, CC dreams of being Mei Lan, a girl who lived during the Chinese Song dynasty who lives with a stepfather who abuses her. Perfect for teens aged between 12 to 17 years.

“The Dragon’s Child: A Story of Angel Island” by Laurence Yep. Yep weaves a story based on real-life talks with his father about Angel Island, the west coast version of Ellis Island and the challenges of assimilation into American society while maintaining one’s cultural heritage.

“Little Pear: The Story of a Little Chinese Boy” by Eleanor Francis Lattimore. First published in 1931, this book has been reprinted since and tells the adventure stories of Little Pear, a Chinese boy living in China. Lattimore also authored “ Little Pear and His Friends” which was published in 1934, a follow-up to the original story. Ideal reading for children aged 9 to 12.

“Lady Ch’iao Kuo: Warrior of the South” by Laurence Yep. This entry in Yep’s Royal Diaries series has Princess Red Bird visiting a Chinese colony for her education, but she soon discovers that her hosts have a low opinion of her Hsien people. Despite the friction in her relationship with them, they all have a much bigger problem to worry about: the Dog Heads. Targeted to children aged 10 to 14.

“The Magic Wings: A Tale from China” by Diane Wolkstein. This charming story is based on a Chinese folk tale about a goose girl who wishes that she could become a goose, fly, and enjoy the beautiful gardens in China. Suitable for children aged 5 to 8.

“Dragon Seed”, by Pearl S. Buck. Pearl, a Pulitzer and Nobel prize winner, spent much of her formative years in China where her parents were Christian missionaries. She had the privilege of learning about Chinese culture and spoke both English and Chinese as a child. This novel profiles the Chinese peasants during World War 2, and Pearl has a unique gift in making the characters within come to life. Perfect for children and teens aged 11 to 18 and up.

“A Sky Full of Dragons” by Mildred Whatley Wright. This story is about a boy named Lee Chow who has a grandfather that wants to share special items in his life, but Lee wants a more popular toy among boys his age: marbles. After Lee attends the Spring festival, he finally gets the marbles he wants, and makes friends. Appropriate for children aged 5 to 8.

“Sword”, by Da Chen. This novel about adventure and love takes place in ancient China. Upon Miu Miu’s fifteenth birthday, she is sent to another city far away from her home and her job is to avenge her father’s death, but at the same time she becomes romantically involved which may hinder her ability to carry out her mission. Targeted to children aged 10 to 14.

Lunar New Year Celebration

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:58:50 +0000

Of the millions of Chinese people in this world, it turns out that knowing the history and origins of the Lunar New Year is not much. Types and how to celebrate it can differ from one tribe to another.

This happens because the breadth of mainland China with a wide variety of natural conditions geographically and demographically, not to mention the ethnically. Anything starting with worship to Thian, the gods and ancestors. one begins with a bite to eat. There are also other habits before each visit among relatives while not forgetting to divide the “Ang Pau” for children, which of course accept it with joy.

Actually the Chinese lunar calendar system is influenced by 2, namely the Gregorian system and the Moon-Sun system, where the average one year divided into 12 months so that each month consists of 29 ½ days. This calendar is still equipped with the division 24 seasons very closely associated with the changes that occur in nature, so the division this season proved very useful for agriculture in determining the time of planting or at harvest.

These are some examples of the division of the 24 season:

The beginning of spring

The first day of the season was the first day of New Year Celebration, or the commencement of the Spring Festival (Chun Jie).

The rainy season

Where it began to rain.

Season insect

Insects began to appear after a long hibernation during the winter.

Etc. (Still there are 21 other seasons that are too long to be discussed one by one)

Apart from the above division of the season, in the Chinese calendar is also known term Tian Gan and Di Zhi which is a unique way of dividing the years in a matter of 60 annual cycles. There’s more a matter of 12 annual cycle, which we are familiar with the “Shio”, namely Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Chicken, Dog, Pig.

In conclusion, the Chinese calendar does not just follow one system only, but also there are some elements that affect, namely the season, fifth element, the sky numbers, zodiac, etc.. However, today all the calculations can be summarized very well be a system of “Chinese calendar” a good, complete and harmonious even almost perfect because it includes the “Correction” is also, as an example is “Lun Gwe“, a month to correct after a certain period.

Lunar New Year celebration is a great celebration for the Chinese community. Hang red lanterns, firecrackers rang and hide the broom is one of the uniqueness of this celebration. In addition, the Chinese community also will begin to stick pictures Gods Doormen on these festive days.

Happy Lunar New Year..! gong xi fa cai..

Wake The Dragon: 2012 Chinese New Year Festivities

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:47:50 +0000

Many products of the Chinese community have managed to transcend the ethnic barrier and become icons of Filipino consciousness. Siomai, for example, or pancit canton. The practice of addressing older siblings as “ate” and “kuya” too. SM and Jollibee, of course. And let’s not forget Kim Chiu, Chris Tiu and Love Marie Ongpauco a.k.a Heart Evangelista. No dragon dances here, only Chinese cinema.At this point, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate Chinese culture from the national identity, and the best evidence of this is the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated by the Chinese, Filipino and Chinese-Filipino communities with equal zeal. This year, the city is bursting with Chinese New Year festivities that you and your family can be a part of. Whether you want to ring in the Year of the Dragon by gorging on Chinese dishes lauriat style, overdosing on tikoy, seeing fireworks, watching the staple lion and dragon dances, or do all of the above, there is definitely something for you. Manila Hotel’s celebration on January 22-23 will involve a bazaar, a dragon dance, a fireworks display, and a Chinese feast at the Mabuhay Palace. But the main attraction will be the Dotting of the Dragon Eye at 9:30 p.m on the 22nd, followed by the sharing of 2012 Forecast and Feng Shui and Geomancy Tips from feng shui expert Maritess Allen. Regular tickets for the event cost P2,188, while premium tickets cost P3,188. More details can be found on their website. At the Mandarin Oriental, the celebrations begin with cocktails on January 22, after which, fireworks, dragon and lion dancers, an eye-dotting ceremony, and luck-bringing rituals by geomancer Joseph Chau will dazzle guests in the rundown to midnight. Guests can then indulge in an epic nightcap: the grand Chinese lauriat at the hotel ballroom. Reservation details and rates are on their website. Tikoy with a twist.Photo courtesy of Makati Shangri-laTikoy takes the spotlight in Makati Shangri-La’s Chinese New Year welcome, and rightly so — their take on everyone’s favorite Kung Hei Fat Choi delicacy comes in various flavors (the chocolate one comes highly recommended), and two auspicious shapes: fish, and round. Their special tikoy will be available at the lobby until January 25. As per tradition, a dragon dance will also take place on January 22. For more details, call (02) 840-0884. Another dragon dance opens the festivities at Traders Hotel Manila’s Latitude restaurant on Jan. 23. Aptly named the Dragon Buffet, the spread includes a generous serving of dim sum, seafood and seafood, as well as freshly carved Roast Duck, Pork Asado and Soy Chicken. Of course, there will also be Birthday Noodles for long life. As for dessert, Chinese classics will be served alongside Western favorites, New York Cheesecake and Tiramisu. The lunch and dinner buffet costs P888 per person, while special tikoy is available for P488. At Resorts World, the revelry starts early and lasts well into February. Filipino restaurant Mercado will be serving a lucky buffet—P88 for breakfast, P188 for lunch—from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, while a firecracker lighting ceremony will be held at the Main Entrance on Jan. 22 and 30, and Feb. 6 at 11 p.m. to ward off the bad luck and bring in the good vibes. More than that, Newport Mall will be hosting a Chinese Cultural Exhibition on Jan. 22 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring fan dancers and wushu exhibitionists among others. The next day at 11 a.m., mimes and stiltwalkers are set to perform, while mascots Cai Shen and Choi Ying offer Chinese sweet treats. Of course, Resorts World’s Chinese New Year revels won’t be complete without the token lion and dragon dance, which will take place on January 24—11 a.m. at the Newport Mall, and 3 p.m. at the Mariott Hotel. To cap it all off, Cantonese restaurant Passion is serving a special Chinese and Korean Banquet at 7 p.m. in honor of the event. Welcoming the Year of the Dragon doesn’t always have to be pomp and pageantry, though. The 6th annual Spring Film Festival should be a good enough celebration. You can catch some real gems of Chinese cinema starting on Jan. 20 at the Shangri-la Plaza cineplex. And since admission is free, you can even see them all, until the festival ends on the 29th. Take your pick from the lineup of dramas, comedies and historical epics on the website of co-organizer Ateneo-Celadon. Moneygram shares the art of Chinese brushwork.Food has always been central to any Chinese New Year party, but even more so at The Big Binondo Food Wok, a special walking tour organized by Manila tour experts, Old Manila Walks. Led by Ivan Man Dy, the tour goes through the streets of Binondo, and is centered on food and Chinoy history. It runs all year round, but they’re holding a special tour for Chinese New Year on Jan. 21 starting at 1:30 p.m., Jan. 22 at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Jan. 23 at 8 a.m. The tour rate is P1,500 per head and includes the tasting menu and a special surprise. Visit theirwebsite to book a slot. Moneygram Philippines plays the unlikely host to a number of Chinese New Year activities all centered on the fine art of Chinese lantern painting. The seasoned artists can participate in the on-the-spot Chinese lantern painting contest on Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Chinese lantern exhibit on Jan.15-23, both of which will take place at the SM Mall of Asia Main Mall Atrium. Those who want to get to know the art and learn the basics can join the free workshop on Jan. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m., also at the Main Mall Atrium. Registration forms for the contest and the workshop can be downloaded on Moneygram’s website

Auspicious Eats for Chinese New Year

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:32:26 +0000

Stir-fried hand-pulled noodles. Photo courtesy of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Several restaurants in Manila are offering different dishes in an effort to help people attract luck and wealth in the Year of the Water Dragon, which starts on January 23.

Chinese New Year menus feature food items that are considered “lucky” either because of its appearance, or the way the Chinese word for it sounds. The Chinese word for fish, yu, for instance, sounds like the word for riches and abundance.

Spring rolls and egg rolls, on the other hand, resemble gold bullion and are said to bring more wealth.

Do these dishes really bring prosperity and good fortune? No one knows, but one thing’s for sure: Chinese food tastes good.

Here are some of the offerings at restaurants in Manila this Chinese New Year.

Kung, Hei, Fat, Choi menus

Kung hei fat choi is a popular Chinese greeting which literally means “Congratulations and wishing you prosperity.” It is usually said during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Makati Shangri-La used this greeting to name its four set dinner menus at the Shang Palace restaurant as the hotel welcomes the Year of the Water Dragon next week. All of the nine-course sets feature so-called lucky treats and dishes such as yusheng (or prosperity toss, a salad containing strips of raw fish, shredded vegetables, and a variety of sauces and condiments), steamed lapu-lapu, hot sweetened pumpkin cream and white fungus.

Dishes unique to the Kung set menu include steamed prawns, boiled sliced chicken and bamboo pith, braised pork knuckle with fresh mushroom, deep fried crispy chicken, and fragrant fried rice with diced honey pork and shrimps in yang chowstyle.

The Hei set menu, on the other hand, has wild mushroom and garoupa fillet soup with egg white, sauteed two kinds of fungus with prawn balls, braised pork belly in tung po style with Chinese buns, Hainanese chicken, and fried rice in shrimp paste and minced pork.

The Fat menu features Sichuan style hot and sour soup, hot prawn salad, pan-fried sun-dried oysters with barbecue sauce, roasted Peking duck with plum sauce, and crispy noodles with chicken fillet and celery in satay sauce.

Meanwhile, the Choi menu has tiger prawn with shimeji mushroom and spinach soup, deep-fried ginger prawns with wasabi mayonnaise, steamed bamboo pith stuffed with asparagus in crab meat sauce, roasted Peking duck with plum sauce, and fried rice with seafood, tomato paste and XO sauce.

The set menus cost P16,888+++ to P22,888+++ for a table of ten. Eight is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture.

Aside from the Shang Palace, the hotel also has a Chinese New Year buffet spread at Circles Event Cafe, and a dragon and lion dance at the lobby.

Hong Kong Chef Peter Yeung’s authentic Chinese fare

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, on the other hand, will serve Chinese dishes that symbolize health, wealth and happiness from January 20 to 25. These will be prepared by Hong Kong Chef Peter Yeung of Spiral fame.

Among the dishes to be served to welcome the Year of the Dragon are stir-fried prawns with sweet chili sauce, hand-pulled noodles, braised garden vegetables in oyster sauce, and Chinese barbecue.

The dinner rate is set at P1,788+++ per person. Lion dance and Chinese band performances are also scheduled.

The Year of the Water Dragon will begin on January 23 and will end on February 3, 2013. Feng shui experts have stressed that while it is good to rely on ancient Chinese beliefs, one must still work hard to get ahead in life.