Celebrating Chinese New Year 2020: Love, Peace and Harmony

Tikoy (Nián gāo) and Ampao (Hóngbāo) are famous Chinese symbols of good luck and prosperity. These two are a must-have in the Philippines and among the Chinese-Filipino community during special holidays like the Lunar Chinese New Year and other special occasions. 

Ang Pao, or the red envelope, evolved into an all-season object for gift-giving. It is given during the Chinese New Year and during birthdays and weddings. In the Philippines, we have adopted the giving of Ang Pao during Christmas and other events. 

I always like special delicacies, so I also enjoy eating Tikoy, which signifies harmony and closeness among the family. Its stickiness symbolizes bonding and togetherness. 

The past couple of years in Binondo have been truly auspicious, as I have had the joy of immersing myself in the vibrant and enchanting Chinese New Year celebration. The streets of Binondo come alive with the best of Chinese culture and tradition, passed down from generation to generation. 

I remember the kilometer-long street of Ongpin in Binondo when fun-filled activities happened during the Chinese New Year. The lion and the dragon dance are always colorful and graceful, giving positive energy to the watchers. The firecrackers ward off evil spirits and negativity, as they would believe. It's fun, and the excellent vibe would bring in a positive mindset and emotion, and that's the essence. 

The Chinese influence my beliefs about prosperity, so I follow the feng shui and the Chinese zodiac in some ways. They just guide us to a positive life. 

These past years have been more than just celebrations; they have been live-action experiences filled with stories that will forever be etched in my memory, and I'm thrilled to share them with you.

• Celebrating the Chinese New Year 2013: A New Beginning

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2017: An Auspicious Celebration

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2018: Prosperity and Abundance

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2019: Luck, Prosperity, and Faith

Those were the years of celebrating abundance and prosperity. And so, for this year and the years to come, while I may not be able to celebrate in Binondo, I am eagerly open to embracing the culture and tradition that gives life meaning from different perspectives, and I look forward to the new experiences that await.

But above all, this year is not just about prosperity; it's about love, peace, and harmony that must reign in our hearts. That's what we all need at this very moment.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Journey of Love

Staring at the first full moon in 2020 was a great homecoming welcome after long-distance travel.

Meeting families, sharing love stories, having a sumptuous meal, having beautiful conversations, and making heartfelt dedications—that was a fantastic and romantic day—a day of smiles, laughter, and tears—a memory that will last a lifetime.

Lying in bed at night, I was amazed by the moon's excellent illumination on the balcony, as seen through the glass door. I rushed to get up and saw the full moon shining so brightly. A Romantic scene of saying, "I love you to the moon and back." That was a great day and a fantastic night to remember.

Then comes Soulful Sunday, a moment of breathing in and out at sea. Watching the gentle waves, looking at the horizon, and enjoying the moment of soulful conversation.

An incredible journey ahead starts with a grateful heart. We are blessed with the people there to be with and counsel us.

As we move on to the next level, the journey of love will grow and be strengthened by faith. Just like the grand illumination of the moon, it will shine brighter and fuller.

Until next, we will continue the shining moment and the journey of love, always living in the present moment. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

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The Highlands of Bucari

The holiday continues! It's the first week of 2020 and the first week of the new decade, but the joyful and soulful moment never ends.

The new year 2020 was welcomed with enthusiasm and a positive spirit. It was the most straightforward, fun, and memorable celebration. 

We reflect on the past year as the holiday rush and noise fade into the background. We've missed the playful kids, the laughter, and the great conversations, but we've also learned valuable life lessons. These experiences have given us renewed hope and determination to make the most of the new year.

Today, the first Sunday of the year is a day we've come to cherish. We call it 'Soulful Sunday, a time to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with ourselves and nature. This particular 'Soulful Sunday' was spent in the nearby province of Iloilo, in the Municipality of Leon. 

This is my first visit, and on my bucket list is to see and experience the highlands of Bucari. I was accompanied by a beautiful, adventurous person who also loves nature. This was our first time visiting the so-called Summer capital of Iloilo, and we had an incredible journey on the road. What a blissful experience I will never forget!

The road to Bucari is a sensory delight, with the wind in our hair and the scent of pine trees filling the air. As we ascended, the landscape transformed, and we were enveloped in a cool mist, the fog adding an element of mystery to the scenery. It was a view that rivaled the famous highlands of Tagaytay and Baguio.

After half an hour of a motorcycle ride, I was amazed at the development when we entered the camping site where cottages and tents were built and set up. I never thought of the development and the crowd of people who visit to experience the place. Visitors are cheerful and seem excited to explore what the area offers. We explored and saw it with ourselves. No regrets! 

We have climbed the highest peak and have passed by the 14 stations of the cross. That was hundreds of steps, and to reach the final station, we climbed the rock formation. We have conquered our fears, and we have reached the summit. No fears! 

That was a fantastic view—perhaps one of the best I've ever seen. The peak offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Municipality of Leon and other towns of Iloilo. We were on cloud nine! The surrounding area was covered with clouds until they disappeared momentarily, offering a clear view of the mountains and small villages from afar. It was a sight that left us in awe, a reminder of the beauty and grandeur of nature.

The majestic view from the top was a perfect moment to appreciate nature and have good conversations about future travel and adventures. This is just the beginning, and hoping for the best journey. 

Before we ended our short trip, we stopped by the chapel and had a final glimpse of the mountains. I suddenly reminisced about my soulful moment in the highlands of Dharamsala in India, quite similar to the view of the mountains that seemed closer.

What a great adventure! And a great start to the year. Again, that was another breathing out and a way to calm down despite the adrenaline rush. We did it! We made it! As we stood there, taking in the last moments of the trip, a sense of peace and contentment washed over us, a perfect end to a thrilling adventure. 

That was an incredible Soulful Sunday moment. Living well and at the present moment. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

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