Lunar New Year is a meaningful, cultural celebration for many of our N-ablites across the globe. It’s one of the most important festivals celebrated in many Asian countries and Asian communities around the world, where families come together to welcome the new year.
As we continue our conversation on Diversity, Equality, and Belonging and learning from each other, we’re excited to highlight some of our N-ablites and the ways they celebrate and honor this special time. See what they have to say about enjoying Lunar New Year with family and learn more about their traditions:
Erika Fuentes, Talent Acquisition Partner
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What does Lunar New Year mean to you?
Chinese culture in the Philippines is very influential, and Filipinos are known to participate in the celebration of the Chinese New Year by enjoying authentic Chinese cuisine, consulting feng shui experts, having their Chinese horoscopes cast for good luck, paying respect at temples, and visiting places that offer cultural performances. Some people believe that Lunar New Year is only celebrated by Chinese, but in the Philippines, even those who are not Chinese have made it a tradition to celebrate it with family. I am from a family with different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions. I was able to adopt the culture of the Chinese-Filipino community, and so it’s become our tradition to celebrate it every year!
What is your favorite part about celebrating Lunar New Year?
Feasting and family. We come from far and wide to be with our loved ones, and many meals are shared among friends, family, and relatives. It’s a happy tradition for both adults and kids alike and a great break for everyone, where togetherness is a central theme of the holiday.
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Jonniel Yao, Manager, People Operations
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What is your favorite Lunar New Year tradition?
Of course, receiving the red envelopes with money in them, we call them Angpao in the Philippines!
What is your favorite Lunar New Year meal?
My favorite is Chinese food—I eat it all year round! On occasions like this, the most memorable are those times we go for a Chinese buffet with all the food.
What are you most looking forward to for this New Year, the Year of the Rabbit?
I’m looking forward to a more prosperous and healthy new year of the Water Rabbit for all of us!
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Catherine Lopez, Senior Manager, Customer Success
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What are some of your favorite Lunar New Year traditions?
As kids, my dad would normally give us kiat-kita, small mandarin oranges, and we would roll them inside from outside of our house. My dad said it was to invite good fortune into our home. The tradition of rolling the kiat-kiat has been passed on to my boys, and they enjoy it as much as I do!
What is your favorite Lunar New Year meal?
Noodles and rice cakes! The rice cake is called Tikoy—it’s very sticky, and we normally fry it. The stickiness of the rice cake is supposed to signify the stickiness in family relationships.
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Jan Gabrielle Alolor, Manager, Collections
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What is your most memorable Lunar New Year celebration?
My most memorable Lunar New Year celebration was back in 2019—the year prior pandemic—as that was the last time we celebrated Lunar New Year in Binondo, which is the center of all Lunar New year celebrations here in the Philippines. It was a lovely time as everyone was allowed to be in the street to celebrate. The parades of dragons and lions was one of my favorite part!
What are you most looking forward to for this New Year, the Year of the Rabbit?
I am a Capricorn and it says that the Year of Rabbit will be a bag full of surprises for us. It will also bring peace, harmony, and tranquility to the new year, so I’m looking forward to the year ahead!
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Kathleen Pai, Chief People Officer
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What is your favorite part about celebrating Lunar New Year?
My favorite part of Lunar New Year is being together with my family. It’s a very special time where we all gather together and enjoy each other’s company.
What are some of your favorite Lunar New Year traditions?
My favorite tradition is handing out red envelope gifts, especially to the children! I love seeing their smiling faces and hearing, “Gong xi fa cai Hong Bao na lai,” which is their kind request for a red envelope. Red envelopes, known as Hong Bao in Mandarin, are gifts presented at social and family gatherings, such as weddings or holidays. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck.
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Alrem Ocampo, Partner Success Manager
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What is your most memorable Lunar New Year celebration?
In 2014, I flew to Kashgar, Xinjiang province in the western most part of China to celebrate the New Year. The following year, I went to Hangzhou, in Zhejiang Province, famous for its black Zhejiang Vinegar.
What is your favorite Lunar New Year meal?
So many!! Tang Yuan (Sweet Rice Balls), Chun Juan (Spring Rolls), Changshou Mian (noodles), dumplings, and more.
What are you most looking forward to for this New Year, the Year of the Rabbit?
Good health for me, my family and friends, and career growth!
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Joanne Guya, People Advocate
What is your favorite part about celebrating Lunar New Year?
The festivity! Everything is so lively, and the aura of the people celebrating it gives positive energy.
What are some of your favorite Lunar New Year traditions?
Watching live dragon dances!
What is your most memorable Lunar New Year celebration?
When I was eight years old, in February of 2002, we went to Chinatown in Binondo, Manila, to eat at a famous teahouse and restaurant called Ying-Ying. It was a simple meal, but it was memorable because that was the first time I witnessed a live dragon dance inside the restaurant. The performance was lively, as if the percussion hit my chest as it thumped. It was also the first time I experienced having my fortune read using Kau Chim or divination sticks.
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We’re grateful to our N-ablites for sharing a piece of their culture and celebration with us!
To find out more about our company culture and the opportunities available at N‑able, visit our dedicated Life at N‑able blog section and take a look at our Careers Page.
Happy Lunar New Year and Year of the Rabbit!
Aziree Pemberton is Senior People Communications Specialist
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