Tara Gumala: January 2014

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI

Year of the Wooden Horse

January 31, 2014

Hey everyone! Since it's Chinese New Year, I'm craving for an authentic Mami (Chinese Noodles) and want to experience what Binondo (oldest Chinatown) looks like during this festivity!

Going to Binondo is easy but much easier if you take the LRT 1 train and alight on Carriedo Station.

View from Carriedo Station

From Carriedo Station, you just have to walk going to Sta. Cruz Church near Escolta and walk straight to Ongpin (where you can find the cheapest jewelries) then from Ongpin turn right to Benavidez (where you can find most of authentic Chinese Restaurants).

A kiddo was enjoying his swim at the Fountain across Ongpin St., and Sta. Cruz Church

Here are some of my observations:

1. Most people are wearing RED.

2. Fireworks waste every where!

3. You can hear different drum beats with people dancing (wearing costumes that doesn't look good) and giving you Ampao even for just watching. That is why I was not able to take a picture of them.

4. Dragon dancers.

5. Ornaments and Tikoys overload!

6. The line for Fried Siopao is blockbuster.

7. Ma Mon Luk (Masuki) has the best authentic Chinese noodles!

Learned how to properly eat Authentic Noodles Special thanks to the man whom we shared our table with.

8. Cute little babies wearing traditional chinese costumes!

That was my 1st Chinese New Year experience. Ikaw, how did you celebrate?

Ano, TARA GUMALA???

CIAO.

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GABRIELA.

2013 : Year of my LIBERATION

O yes, you read it right. Liberation. I become liberated on 2013. You want to know why? Simple lang pero first, let's define what is liberated. Liberated means to be freed, not bound from traditional roles. So why liberated? Kasi nga po, I turned 21 last year. It means, I'm an adult and I take charges on my actions. I can decide on my own (though I still ask for some advice), go out of my comfort zone, and use my right to vote. This is also the year I got my license and started my graduate schooling. Lastly, I am free! Not everybody on my age can do such thing. I started backpacking locally and internationally without any help from my mother, yes without any help and I'm so proud of it. I also learned new thing e.g. Diving, snorkeling without any life vest, train system, culture, and how to while in Malaysia. I even enrolled in Graduate School.

2013 has been a great year. Damang dama ko pagiging adult ko. I had problems financially and have to pay bills! Yea, BILLS are really part of adulthood. HAHA. On the bright side, I had the chance to explore some cultures of my beloved Philippines and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! So liberating right?

Highlights of places and events I've been to last 2013: