Tikoy time! Happy new year! (Kung hei fat choi! Cheers to the Year of the Water Dragon!)

The glutinous rice cake of Chinese origins is well-received in the Philippines. Its assimilation into the Filipino culture is a result of the Chinese diaspora in the country. Tsinoys as well as Pinoys troop to the stores every new year.

Because tikoy is so good, the cakes are  available all throughout the year, be it the traditional white or brown (sugar) tikoy or the newer flavored tikoy, like ube and pandan. Find them at Chinese delicatessen stores around Binondo.

Sliced into strips, then dipped into beaten eggs and then fried, tikoy makes a delicious snack or dessert.

The Chinese New Year is the most important of all the festivals. It is a time of centuries old tradition. The date of the New Year falls somewhere between late January and late February, depending on the Lunar (moon) calendar. A few weeks before, homes are cleaned thoroughly in preparation for the holiday. Tangerine plants, flower displays, Chinese paintings and calligraphy are sold to eager buyers. Hong Kong is laden with brightly coloured decorations, stores are packed with shoppers. The Chinese New Year is a time of settling all debts and spreading good intentions to family and friends.

The eve of the New Year is a special time for family and friends. All preparations have been made, including prayer and homage to "Tso Kwan", who returns to heaven to report on the behaviour of the humans for the year. "Tso Kwan" means "Stove Master" and he is the kitchen god of China.

The actual New Year day is spent with close friends and relatives, worshipping ancestors and gods. New clothes and new shoes are worn to symbolize the New Year and red packet containing small amounts of money are exchanged. The second day of the New Year is spent with relatives welcoming the beginning of the year. Next is "Kai Nien" or "Squabble Day" on the third day of the festival. It is called this name because it is believed that if you argue on this day, you will have many arguments during the coming year. The fourth day of the New Year is a day of welcoming back the kitchen god from his tiring trip to heaven. A new picture is hung in the kitchen.