A happy Chinese new year to everyone as the arkadymac.com team welcomed the year of the wooden sheep in Binondo, Manila. No cosplay events to cover here (although there were some random cosplayers there), but we just set out to enjoy the sights and sounds that Chinatown happily offered on this occasion.
With us on our escapade were our Coverage Partner Jillian Rose and our Premier Cosplay Model Nicole. Jillian helped out by taking some of the photos seen here and served as our guide through the narow but lively streets of Binondo. Nicole was there to have some fun as we enjoyed taking photos of her along with the festive scenery.
Binondo is thought to be the oldest Chinatown in the world, making it a historically and culturally significant place, and it is shown in its distinctly Chinese buildings and signage and the narrow, winding and sloping streets which helped make it a financial center as well. And on that particular day, those same streets were filled with revelers, foreigners, travelers, and the curious, all just happy to be part of the festivities.
It was a holiday, but most stores, shops, and restaurants were open to serve traditional Chinese delicacies like tikoy, and customers flock to them, not minding the long lines, as long as they have their fill of tradition.
The old, weathered streets were also filled with performers like live bands, fire breathers, and lion and dragon dance troupes. The crowds couldn’t get enough of them as they took photos of them and selfies with them. They definitely made the streets fun and lively.
And then there were some children who imitated the dragon dancers in their own renditions of the dance using whatever they had they could pass off as a costume, hoping for spare change from amused passers-by.
All along the stretch of streets were delightful lighted lanterns that made the chilly urban landscape appear a bit warm and friendly.
We met up with some of our photographer and model friends at the park just outside Binondo Church. They were having fun too as the occasion allowed tghem the rare opportunity to do some street photography. We took a few shots of the lovely models as it afforded me the rare opportunity of a fashion street shoot set in a very rustic location.
With Patrice:
Kristina:
Gale:
Many thanks to Sir Pef and Sir Bernard and Neko for letting us tag along with their team and for giving me the rare opportunity to do a street shoot.
Many thanks also to Chris and Carl of Pitik Photography for accompanying us. Please accept this stolen shot from Jill.
We were busy and were having too much fun that we never got to keep track of the time, so afterwards we had a nice little late dinner somewhere. We shared stories about our trip today and got to laugh as Nicole shared some really funny jokes. After he meal we bid our goodbyes and called it a day. And it certainly was a fun and unique one. Hope to be back next year.
Thank you for dropping by, and do visit us again for more features here at arkadymac.com.
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