Manila’s Chinatown lights up with fireworks to greet the lunar new year

Video by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

Photo by NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–A colorful, 15-minute fireworks display wowed revelers at the Chinese New Year celebration in Manila’s Chinatown Wednesday night.

Crowds who filled the streets in and around Binondo cheered as fireworks painted the night sky to welcome the year of the wooden sheep.

Merrymakers at a mall were also treated to live musical performances, where artists dished out seemingly endless greetings of “Gong Hei Fat Choy” to their enthusiastic audience.

Along the streets and within commercial centers, throngs of lion and dragon dancers made the rounds of the bustling business district—their coming announced by the beating of drums.

According to chinesefortunecalendar.com, “The Year 2015 is the 4712th Chinese year,” which began counting in 2697 when China’s Yellow King, or Huangdi, ascended the throne.

The Chinese use a lunar calendar which measures the months and years according to the cycles of the moon.

Photo by NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

Photo by NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

Photo by NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

Photo by NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

Photo by NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net