Gift-giving, name-flashing pols in Chinatown parade

HOT LIPS Not just mythical dragons breathed fire during Monday’s festivities in Binondo, Manila. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

RED envelopes containing P20 each sprang forth from the hands of politicians who joined the colorful Chinese New Year parade Monday in Binondo, Manila, where they also handed out campaign materials—including the edible kind—to revelers.

Among those who were seen giving away money were former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair and now senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino, reelectionist Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, his running mate Honey Lacuna, and Councilors Re Fugoso and Grace Chua.

Both Tolentino and Estrada said “there’s nothing wrong” with giving away money in envelopes called “ang pao” during the holiday because it’s “part of tradition.” Even the president of Taiwan does it, said Tolentino, who said he took part in the revelry in homage to his maternal Chinese ancestry.

The VIPs took part in the “Solidarity Walk” that served as the main activity of the Chinatown festivities. According to Councilor Bernie Ang, this was the first time the various Chinese-Filipino business groups agreed to hold just “one parade” instead of having their own street celebrations.

Estrada and his allied councilors, however, didn’t actually walk but rode electric tricycles that had posters bearing their names and faces. Tsinoy businessmen representing 19 organizations also joined them in a motorcade, handing out candies, red T-shirts and Chinese delicacies along the way.

Tolentino, the only national candidate to attend, also gave away delicacies, pocket calendars with his name and picture, and candies whose wrappers also bear his name. Estrada said he was endorsing Tolentino in the Senate race.

Still, Ang told reporters: “‘Wag natin ito haluan ng pulitika (Leave politics out of this).”