Around one million people are expected to flock to Binondo on Feb. 9 and 10 to celebrate the Chinese New Year, Manila Administrator Bernie Ang said on Monday, Feb.5.
In a forum by the Manila City Hall Reporters Association (MACHRA), Ang also discussed the line-up of activities to celebrate Chinatown's 430th anniversary and the Lunar New Year.
He said a 12-minute fireworks display will be held on the eve of Feb. 9 at the Filipino–Chinese Friendship Bridge or the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, while 20 floats will participate in the grand parade around the two squared kilometers of Chinatown.
Red envelopes or "angpao," will be given away during the float parade to bring good luck both to the giver and the receiver.
Ang was also joined by Manila Chinatown Barangay Organization (MCBO) President Jefferson Lau and Manila Chinatown Development Council Executive Director Willord Chua.
According to them, establishments in the whole of Chinatown were encouraged to participate in the affair by offering special discounts, since a large crowd would visit the area to take part in the activities or even just as bystanders.
The Manila Police District will issue a rerouting scheme and traffic advisory to guide motorists.
The grand parade will begin behind the Central Post Office area and will end at the Lucky Chinatown Mall.
Chua said the mall has invited celebrity guests for a free concert as an added treat for the mallgoers.
Ang told the forum that Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan expressed her gratitude to the Chinese-Filipino community for volunteering to fund the activities, saying the grand event will be carried out at no expense to the city.
Meanwhile, Lau announced that MCBO is overseeing the construction of the Pagoda located on Tetuan Street beside Gandara Street, which Ang said will become among the top tourist destinations in the country.
The city administrator shared that during the initial stages of the construction, live snakes were found in a watery portion of the excavation, which he said is a lucky sign based on Chinese beliefs.
A pagoda is a temple or memorial with a deep cultural and religious meaning mostly for the Chinese who go there to pay respects to the Gods or worship, among other functions.