Over 120,000 people joined the Chinese New Year countdown in Binondo, Manila at midnight on Saturday, Jan. 21, according to Manila Police District (MPD).
The Chinese New Year Countdown Pyromusical is an eight-minute fireworks display at Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and was organized by the city government, in cooperation with Manila Chinatown Development Council and Manila Chinatown Barangay Organization.
"In this momentous event, we reflect the diversityand strength of the Filipino-Chinese community and its contribution to the very fabric of this magnificent city. This is a time to remind ourselves that the Manila is a city of immigrants, both from the provinces and other parts of the globe," Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said in her address.
Apart from the countdown and fireworks display, the city government also prepared various activities, including dragon boat competition, solidarity parade and a Chinese cultural show.
MPD said a cumulated number of 600,000 people visited Binondo to welcome CNY on Saturday.
A food festival was also set up at Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz which opens at 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Sunday, Jan. 22.
Meanwhile, MPD said a growing number of 15,000 people swarmed in Binondo as of 12 p.m. on Sunday.
It added that more than 3,000 personnel were deployed to secure the Lunar New Year festivities in the city.