Chinese_New_Year_in_the_Philippines

Culture is an ambiguous concept but, however understood, it relates to identity and belonging. I have always had a huge interest in cultures with long history and traditions. China enjoys a rich culture, and with thousand years of development, Chinese culture is one of the most influential cultures in the world. Chinese people influence and hold on to their culture wherever they migrate to, I have learned this during my travel to the Philippines last year in February. The biggest influence of the Chinese culture in the Philippines is the celebration of Chinese New Year or the Lunar year. From the red envelopes hanging on top of their gates, dragon dancers, to the fireworks, Food plays a major role in Chinese New year. Filipino- Chinese people gather around to eat at this time of the year and certain foods are eaten during this time as it symbolizes good tidings. The most popular food to eat is “Tikoy” also known as Nian Gao or Chinese New Year cake. This is a treat made of sticky rice usually given as a present and only sold in stores at this time of the year. Nian Gao, derived from the chinese word “Nian”, meaning sticky and “Gao” means cake, nián which has a similar sound to “nian” means year and “gāo” has a similar soud to gao which means higher. This is a homonym for “a higher year” . Thus, eating this cake implies properity, good luck and raising oneself higher for each coming year. Chinese people also believe that if Nian Gao is eaten one week before the Spring Festival begins, one will have luck for the years to come. This dish is easy to make and may not be considered as an extravagant food, but it has a lot of meaning and significance to the event. There has been a significant Chinese presence in the Philippines even before the Spaniards arrived in the 15th century. Chinese Filipinos currently number four million, making up five percent of the Philippine population. Along with them, they brought Chinese customs and culture and festivities- the most important being the Chinese New Year. It is not an official holiday but a festive celebration in the Philippines. Nian Gao (or Tikoy in Filipino Term) originated when Fukienese, from southern China, migratde to the Philippines in the 15th Century. Filipino-Chinese people believe that eating is sweet and sticky this season symbolizes unity in the family. Nian Gao is considered as a centerpiece to honor the past and present generation because they believe that the spirits of their ancestors are aroud on New Year’s. In China, Families would gather on New Year’s eve to prepare different dishes which has auspicious meaning behind it. It's connected to longevity, reunion, perfection, good luck, health, diligence, satisfaction or promotion based on the homophone of the dish's name. Family members are supposed to have some from every dish. So they can eat and chat for longer time and share love and care during this time. Families believe that offering Nian Gao is a sacrifice or a bribe given to the Kitchen God. The Kitchen God is a popular deity most Chinese would worship every year The Kitchen God not only watches over the domestic affairs of a family, but he is also a moral force in the lives of all family members. A picture of the kitchen God is hung in the kitchen, this plays a significant part in the Chinese New year. Chinese believe that the kitchen God goes to heaven at the end of the year to report about the family’s behavior to the Emperor of Heaven called Yu Huang. Families will be rewarded or punished accordingly depending on their behavior. The family gather at the table to have a thank you dinner and Nian Gao is placed infront of the Kitchen God's ’picture. Offering Nian Gao to the kitchen god a week before the chinese new year, will ensure that the Kitchen God’s mouth is too full to pass a negative report, others believe that sweet Nian Gao is a bribe to the kitchen God to say good things about the family. They burn the picture of the Kitchen God and thereby sent to heaven. After the start of the Chinese New Year’s festivities, a new picture of the Kitchen God is hung in the kitchen. Nian Gao, als called year cake or rice, is a cake made out of gloutinous rice flour. This is the main cuisine during the chinese new year. It comes in red boxes, round with chinese character decorated on top for prosperity. Nian Gao’s recipe has been traditionally passed down from many generations. But the modern recipe is made up of five main ingredients; Sticky rice flour, brown sugar or chinse brown candy called “Pian Tang” in mandarin, Chiense dates, Milk and Water. The Chinese candy is broken down into several pieces in a bowl then boiling water is added to dissolve the sugar and left to cool. The chinese dates are soaked in hot water for around half an hour to soften. The dates are then cut in half and the pits are removed. Sugar – Water mixture is then added to the sticky rice flour along with the milk which forms a dough. Additional water is slowly added until dough is smooth and satin like in texture. The dough is then moulded in to a round cake tin and steamed until the mixture pulls away from the sides. When cooked, the cake is then removed from the tin and wrapped in wax paper and refrigerated overnight. Nian Gao is moulded into a round tin cake because the round shape signifies unending luck and prosperity. Serving this dish varies in every region, They come in many varieties, some spicy and savory while some are sweet. There are different ways of preparing depending on the country and the culture.. It is divided into a few types such as Shanghai Nian Gao, Cantonese Nian Gao and other Asian countries , mix it with different ingredients like red bean paste or even lotus see paste. Others like to have it plain with their Chinese tea. But the traditional way of serving nian gao originated in Guangdong . Nian Gao is by cutting it into thin slices, dipped in beaten egg before frying. A small amount of oil is used, pan fried until golden brown served like an omelette. This is also how it’s done in the Philippines. In Shanghai, it is added to a soup or stir fried and served as a savoury dish. Its common ingredients include vegetables, beef and pork. In Malaysia and Singapore, it is fried in a sandwich in between pieces of taro or sweet potato. Nowadays, there are modern ways of serving Nian Gao, an example would be a recipe called “Puff Nian Gao” . It is another way to eat this dish where you fold the Prata pastry with cheese and Nian Gao instead of the usual pan fried style.What and how one eats depends on individual convictions, and no amount of persuasion from the opposing side will change this