Showing posts with label chinese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chinese. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Kung Hei Fat Choi 2011




In celebration  of Chinese New Year 2011 which is happening tomorrow (Feb.3.11), I chanced upon the 1st  Metro Manila Lion Dance Competition.




It was held at the back of MOA (San Miguel Bay) last Jan.29.11. I gathered that this has been  presented and maybe a would be yearly event by our Department of Tourism, It's nice that we could be able to watch Chinese lion dances if we couldn't make it to the crowded Chinese New Year day in  China town. I assumed most of the participants here are also the ones performing in the streets of China town.




It was still early and everything was still setting-up.










The heads_  waiting for their bodies. . .












Even beast needed to rehearse . . .



Spectators multiplying. . .









\
/
\
|
V








/
\
/
|
V



Had found their bodies and all ready to dance and shoo the bad omens away. . . and be the winner, it's a dance competition, remember?



daughter : it's the year of hare/rabbit. I'm a rabbit. Is is my year then?



To all our Chinese brothers and sisters _ Kung Hei Fat Choi !!!!!!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Taoist Temple, Cebu City


Taoist Temple was one of the city tour spots I missed on my past Cebu trips. So when cuz' Che insisted on going up there, I didn't hesitate to be led. She had been there a year ago and as super fanatic of Chinese traditions as she is ( only a fan and trying hard to practice most of Chinese beliefs to better her life ), she wanted to do some ask- throw-answer (don't know how it is called) stone ritual which she had on her prev visit inside the temple.




Approaching the temple made me realized how grand it was really.




It's nestling on top of Beverly Hills ( a posh elevated subdivision in Cebu City).









To reach the main temple, we had to climb hundred of steps. I was surprised by cuzin's eagerness to reach the top. Usually, she is averse to taking flight of stairs especially if the numbers go beyond 5 steps. But there she was_ pushing her lazy legs to go up. haha. Motivated by faith.




Almost there. I always find Chinese architecture awesome.







Usually dominantly red and very detailed. I know, everything is properly positioned in harmony with their religion and beliefs.




Is this a  Chinese pagoda? See how clueless I am and my friendships with Chinese didn't even help. hehe.




This one too? How do you call this? Looks like the same as one of my daughter's dream catcher collections.




Cuzin'  went inside to do the ritual. She invited me to do the same but I declined. I don't do things I don't believe in. If I did, it's like fooling myself. Taking photos was prohibited inside the temple. I stayed at the hall right beside it.




There was a huge stage with a photo of the whole Taoist Temple as a back draft I thought it was such a huge challenge to be able to achieve that shot.




There was also a souvenir shop. I was too tired to squeeze in to that small crowded shop. I didn't bother even a peek.




Already, the view showcasing the city of Cebu was fantastic from here. There was another higher level but I didn't go up there. I'm sure, it got more awesome view. Can you spot another Chinese temple in this photo? That one was closed to public viewing..




On our way out, we passed thru this beautiful bridge . .




with a dragon so animated. .




bridge like this always makes me imagine to be at the Great Wall of China. .Will I get there?. . ever??




loving the landscaping of the garden. .




We exited from a different gate we entered. This way required fewer stairs to take. . .








So that was why these buses-ful of European senior citizen tourists took this entrance.