Philippine Holiday: 8 Good Luck Foods to Eat on Chinese New Year

Gong hei fat choy! Chinese New Year has come and you know what that means? It’s time to celebrate!

Also known in the Philippines as Lunar New Year, it is a festival celebrating the beginning of the Chinese calendar’s New Year. It’s one of the most anticipated holidays in China and it is celebrated by more than 20% of the world.

Another thing that people look out for on this event is to find out their fortune. According to the Chinese horoscope, 2020 will be the year of the Metal Rat. This zodiac animal is described as quick thinkers, clever, energetic, and optimistic.

Holidays aren’t complete without serving food for the event, and there’s no mistake that people like to follow some superstitions especially during the Lunar New Year.

Since no. 8 is considered to be a lucky a number, here are 8 foods that you should eat during the Lunar New year:

Tikoy

Tikoy or Nian Gao(as known by other countries) is widely known throughout the Philippines. This glutinous rice cake is said to keep the Kitchen God’s mouth shut and avoid letting him say anything bad about you. Tikoy has a variety of colors and flavors, like white or the original flavor, a brown-colored Tikoy is made with brown sugar, the green one is made with pandan while the violet one is made with ube.

Fish

 The word “fish” is a homophone for the word “surplus” in the Chinese language thus serving a whole fish during the Lunar New Year would mean ’a surplus of wealth’ to the coming years.

Image by ariasmelissa from pixabay

Dumpling

A classic lucky food for the New Year and a traditional dish is eaten on Chinese New Year's Eve, dumplings have been around for more than 1,800 years. Generally, dumplings are served because ‘luck is symbolically wrapped inside’. The shape of a dumpling also resembles a golden ingot back in ancient China. Some people say that the more dumplings you eat the more money you can make in the New Year.

Sweet Rice Ball

Sweet rice balls are dipped in hot milk. Like the Fish, this dish’s pronunciation is associated with reunion and being together. That's why they are favored the most during when served.

 Photo by zheng juan on Unsplash

Spring Rolls

Spring rolls got their name for being traditionally eaten during the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. Fillings are wrapped in thin dough wrappers, then fried, when the spring rolls are given their golden-yellow color. It also symbolizes wealth or ‘a wish for prosperity’.

 Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Chicken

 A whole and unchopped chicken is shared with the family. It usually symbolizes prosperity, joy, and unity in the family.

Fruits

Serving golden or orange-colored round fruits during the Lunar New Year period, such as tangerines and oranges, and pomelos is considered lucky since the said fruits symbolize fullness and wealth.

Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash

Noodles

Noodles or Pancit has always been a staple food for parties or celebrations in the Philippines. Chinese influence also shows why this has been served on many occasions. The length of the noodles symbolizes for ‘long life’.

Photo by Martin Lostak on Unsplash

With this, we would like to forward our wishes for you to have a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year. May your journey be always filled with wealth, good health and success through the year ahead!

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Travel Advisory: Flight Cancellations due to Taal Volcano Eruption

MIAA Flight Advisory No. 1 as of January 14, 2020, Tuesday at 5:00 AM

Whilst the flight operations in Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are gradually getting back to normal since yesterday evening, still, several airlines are making their adjustments for the safety of all passengers.

Here are the lists of affected CANCELLED flights due to volcanic ash from Taal Volcano as of today, January 14, 2020, Tuesday at 5:00 AM.

TERMINAL 1
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES (PR)	PR115 SAN FRANCISCO – MANILA
	PR117 VANCOUVER – MANILA
	PR103 LOS ANGELES – MANILA
	PR105 SAN FRANCISO – MANILA
	PR219 AUCKLAND – MANILA
	PR127 JFK – MNL
MALAYSIA AIRLINES (MH)	MH805 MANILA – KUALA LUMPUR
OMAN AIR (WY)	WY844 MANILA – MUSCAT

TERMINAL 2
DOMESTIC
PAL EXPRESS (2P)	2P2921/22 MANILA – LEGAZPI – MANILA
	2P2813/814 MANILA – DAVAO – MANILA
	2P2859/860 MANILA – CEBU – MANILA

TERMINAL 3
INTERNATIONAL
AIR ASIA (AK)	AK584/85 KUALA LUMPUR – MANILA – KUALA LUMPUR
AIR ASIA (Z2)	Z2288 DPS – MNL
	Z2232 DMK – MNL
	Z2129 TAIPEI – MANILA
	Z2808/09 SZX – MNL – SZX
	Z2139 GUANGZHOU – MANILA
CEBU PACIFIC (5J)	5J804 SINGAPORE – MANILA
DOMESTIC
CEBU PACIFIC (5J)	5J378 CAGAYAN – MANILA
	5J386 CAGAYAN – MANILA
	5J563/564 MANILA – CEBU -MANILA
	5J383/384 MANILA - CAGAYAN – MANILA
	5J649/650 MANILA – TACLOBAN – MANILA

TERMINAL 4
AIR ASIA (Z2)	Z2316 ILOILO – MANILA
	Z2757/58 MANILA – CEBU – MANILA
	Z2762 CEBU – MANILA
	Z2625/626 MANILA – DAVAO – MANILA
	Z2616 DAVAO – MANILA
	Z2774 CEBU – MANILA
	Z2622 DAVAO – MANILA
	Z28788/8789 MANILA- CEBU-MANILA
	Z2755 MANILA – CEBU
	Z2318 ILOILO – MANILA
	Z2322/323 MANILA – TACLOBAN – MANILA
	Z2689/690 MANILA-CAGAYAN-MANILA
	Z2306/307 MANILA-ILOILO-MANILA

For tickets booked directly, you may leave a message thru your booked airline’s website and official Facebook page, or you may call directly at their hotline numbers

You may also check the status of your flights by logging on to their respective websites and clicking the flight status button as early as 48 hours to their estimated time of departure. Please make sure to check the status of your flight before heading to the airport.

For other updates, passengers may call the following NAIA passenger information numbers:

Terminal 1 (88771-109 local 2181)

Terminal 2 (88771-109 local 2182)

Terminal 3 (88777-888 local 2183)

Terminal 4 (88771-109 local 2184)

MIAA SMS Hotline:

0917-8396242

0918-9186242

MIAA Hotline 88771-111 or check the MIAA Facebook Page and Twitter @MIAAGovPh

Please refresh this page from time to time for updates. #DOTrPH #LagingHandaTAAL

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Travel Advisory: Taal Volcano Eruption

Taal Volcano, Talisay, Batangas

Last Sunday, January 12, Taal Volcano has shocked everyone with its unexpected activity that was raised up to Alert Level 4 - meaning a "hazardous eruption" may happen in the next hours or days.

Before and after images. Photo Credits to @itsemarargarin (left) Dante Pamintuan/ @coffee_dante (right)

As of today, January 13, 2020, nearly half a million people near the Manila have been urged for a "total evacuation" after the volcano spewed a big cloud of ashes that reached up to 14 kilometers (9 miles). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), had everyone evacuated within the 17-kilometer (10.5 miles) radius around the volcano which is considered as a volcanic danger zone including that in Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, and others. 

Taal's main crater

More than 16, 400 people had been sought to shelter yet their numbers are likely to be higher in the upcoming days. Although some still choose not to leave their homes, they are still being encouraged to evacuate for their own safety. 

The evacuation was made difficult due to the ashfall that made the roads slippery and hampered the visibility in the area. Electricity was also cut to several areas in Batangas. Aside from that, classes and all government offices in Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and Central Luzon were also suspended today, January 13, 2020. 

Affected also by Taal Volcano's eruption was Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport which was CLOSED forcing it to cancel and delay several domestic and international flights. ( You may check the status of your flights in your airline's website or contact your travel agent immediately) 

What will happen to Taal Volcano for the next hours and days is very unpredictable which is why everyone is advised to practice extreme caution. As of the moment, all we could do is stay in a safe area and pray for better days. Stay safe everyone! 

Here are some safety reminders for everyone to keep in mind during this kind of situation:

1. Stay Calm
2. Take note of emergency numbers 
3. Bring Emergency food and water
4. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that'll protect you from the ashfalls
5. Bring battery-operated radio and stay updated with the latest news
6. Ashfalls are very prominent during these times, make sure to wear an N95 mask or a damp towel to protect your mouth from inhaling these toxic wastes. Make sure to wear an eyeglass or goggles as well. 
7. Stay indoors
8. Closed all doors and windows; Place damp towels or cloth at door openings and other open sources in your house. 
9. Avoid contamination from the ash by covering all water containers and foods, and washing all foods. 
10. Keep your pets indoor.
11. If you're driving, STOP at the side of the road if it causes low visibility. Don't use your wiper, it'll damage your windows and will only cause a stain.  

Prior to its eruption, Taal Volcano is one of the must-visit places near Manila, check out here to know what it's like before:  Quick Day Tour Guide in Taal Volcano

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Did we miss something? Let us know by commenting below or send us an email at tours.ph@raksotravel.com. If you'd like talk to one of our travel representatives call us at +63 (2) 8 651-9003.

For other tours and travel needs, check out our website at www.islastory.com.

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