Visiting Ongpin a few days before the Chinese New Year is best. No heavy traffic yet, lots of novelty items and tikoy are available.
This guy (gay) is very efficient and attentive to customers.
I bought this dancing ewan for P480. I have to place it daw at the entrance, para tawagin ang mga swerte. Meron din syang Chinese music na medyo naka ka kulili ang tunog. I am willing to endure a few hours of hearing this sound on Chinese New Year’s eve, basta lang pumasok ang swerte, of course.
I had no intention to take their picture but they posed and requested that I took their photo.
I wasn’t able to get their names. They’re assigned outside this store at the tikoy section. Until I am able to know their names, I’ll call them muna tikoy boys.
When you go to Ongpin don’t forget to light an incense here. This altar is alongside the road near the tikoy boys.
Be you’re a Buddhist, Protestant or Catholic, you can say your prayers and make your wish.
i bought this luya with ribbons for P70. She did not want to lower her price because the one that I chose is shaped daw like a dragon.
Nagoyo na naman yata ako.
Lonely Duck
Chinese Lechon and asado
Eng Bee Tin was full of customers, ang hirap maki siksik. I did not buy the tikoy from them kasi theirs are priced higher.
Tikoy now comes in so many variati0ns. Again, this would make our lives more complicated.
Even the firetruck is kulay ube
They were direct from the aquarium.
I was by myself (with the driver) when I went to Ongpin. It was 3 pm and since I haven’t had lunch, I went to President restaurant, the smaller and less formal branch. They have a bigger location near the corner for lauriat and formal parties.
There are many beggars in Ongpin, in Manila in general.
Aling Clarita, 78, she’s from Bulacan but begs here to feed her 3 grand children. She spends the night at the nearby San Nicolas Elementary school together with other street people and tricycle drivers.
Binondo Church serves as my landmark when I go to Ongpin Street. We once saw the stunning Madame Imelda Marcos entering this church.
Kung hindi lang ako nagmamadali magpapa- pedicure pa ako dito.
Great to see the same landmarks that identify China town… 🙂 It reminds me too of the first time I was able to eat fried siopao at one of the stores at Binondo. I was able to catch the celebration last year at around 6pm and I felt the nostalgia riding a kalesa instead of walking from Binondo Chruch to the Sta. Cruz Church… 🙂
Thank you Beth. Kung Hei Fat Choi
wow, i haven’t been to that place in ages! thanks for the pics, Annie!!
My pleasure. regards.