Jamaine Punzalan

Locals and tourists fill the busy streets of Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown, on January 21, 2026. Visitors check out delicacies, street food, and local charm stores, and visit churches and temples unique to the area as the Chinese-Filipino community prepares for the Lunar New Year. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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TOURISM- Manila China Town

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177129095259320260121-manila-china-town-binondo-JC5341.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Locals and tourists fill the busy streets of Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown, on January 21, 2026. Visitors check out delicacies, street food, and local charm stores, and visit churches and temples unique to the area as the Chinese-Filipino community prepares for the Lunar New Year. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — In celebration of the Lunar New Year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to match the Fire Horse’s symbolism of courage and forward motion with discipline and hard work.</p><p>“I invite all Filipinos to move with purposeful haste – swift when necessary; measured when it matters most. Momentum can be energizing, but direction is what truly delivers results,” Marcos said in a statement.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/17/lunar-new-year-manila-celebration-reaffirms-ph-china-ties-0712">Lunar New Year: Manila celebration reaffirms PH-China ties</a></div><p>The President said that while the Horse and Fire evoke energy and boldness, real progress depends on prudent households and productive industries.</p><p>“The Horse is often read as a sign of movement, courage, and forward motion, while the Fire element suggests a spark that refuses to settle for the usual pace,” he said.</p><p>“Let us protect what is essential such as fair opportunity and reliable public services, while enhancing productivity, stronger value chains, and communities that never leave the vulnerable behind,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/16/gov-t-exempts-chinese-new-year-in-firecracker-ban-ncrpo-spox-1708">Gov&#x27;t exempts Chinese New Year in firecracker ban</a></div><p>The President said this season is an opportunity for renewal and purposeful action for Filipinos, noting that it is a moment to align personal, community, and national efforts toward growth and prosperity.</p><p>“It is a time when households, communities, and businesses set priorities, execute plans, and focus on what truly sustains them. Across generations, we have come to see prosperity as something we cultivate: built by everyday work, guided by discipline, and multiplied when it creates jobs and supports initiatives that hold our people together,&quot; the President said.</p><p>“If we keep our course firm and our standards high, we can shape a more prosperous, agile, and empowered Bagong Pilipinas. I wish everyone a spirited, bountiful, and rewarding year ahead,” the President added.</p><div><strong>VP SARA GREETS FILIPINOS</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte also greeted Filipino-Chinese communities around the world.</p><p>&quot;As we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, let us embrace this beginning with courage. This is a year of high energy and bold action—offering big rewards for those with the courage to take them,&quot; she said in a video message.</p><p>&quot;Now is the time to ignite the spirit of bayanihan and charge forward into a new year of possibilities. Together, let us strive for growth,&quot; she added.</p><p>&quot;Gong Xi Fa Cai! Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas—para sa Diyos, sa Bayan, at sa bawat Pamilyang Pilipino,&quot; Duterte ended. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/2/16/feng-shui-master-patrick-lim-fernandez-shares-forecast-for-year-of-the-horse-1454">Feng shui master shares forecast for Year of the Horse</a></div><div><iframe width="1023" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kLSHo6wy2E8" title="Lunar New Year: Manila celebration reaffirms PH-China ties | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p> In celebration of the Lunar New Year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to match the Fire Horse’s symbolism of courage and forward motion with discipline and hard work.</p>

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to match the Fire Horse’s symbolism of courage and forward motion with discipline and hard work.

'Move with purposeful haste': Marcos, Duterte greet Filipino-Chinese communities on Lunar New Year

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'Move with purposeful haste': Marcos, Duterte greet Filipino-Chinese communities on Lunar New Year

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 17, 2026 09:18 AM PHT

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Updated February 17, 2026 10:10 AM PHT

Read More:

Marcos

Sara Duterte

Lunar New Year

Chinese New Year

Fire Horse

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