Tikoy sales in celebration of the Chinese Year in the country is still strong as Filipinos and Chinese welcome the Year of the Metal Ox.
The Chinese New Year of rice retailer Joseph Concepcion in Manila is sad.
“Mahigit 70 percent ang nawala. Kumbaga hindi na sapat para sa upa, sa pagkain namin,” said Concepcion.
Despite this, Concepcion still thought of giving a tikoy on Friday, even though the budget was tight.
“Nagbibigay pa rin naman kami kahit papano. Pero nag-adjust na rin. Kumbaga katulad ng Pasko, imbis na magbigay ka ng isang daan, gagawin mo lang singkuwenta kasi wala ka ring huhugutin, para bang mairaos lang. Basta para makapagbigay ka. Kasi nakikita mo ‘yung mga tao, puro wala nga, tapos di mo pa sila aabutan kahit papano. ‘yung konting kasiyahan lang,” said Concepcion.
Concepcion is one of those who prepare to give tikoy. Many also want to receive it, according to some other entrepreneurs.
“Magbigay tayo ng tikoy, dahil ‘yan ay isang tradition naming mga Chinese. Kaya ‘yung tikoy matamis at malagkit, malaki at maliit. ‘Yung malagkit, ibig sabihin ‘yung mga kapamilya niyo, kaibigan, magkakasama kayo, hindi kayo, walang kalasan. Sama-sama. ‘Yung tamis, ‘yung tamis ng pagmamahalan niyo,” said businessman Albert Choa.
Tikoy sales still strong even amid pandemic
Chinese bakeries are also surprised by the sudden increase in sales of tikoy online and in their stores.
“Business is quite booming, we were expecting it to go a bit slower this year, because of the pandemic, lockdowns and everything,” said Abigail Tin, marketing manager of Polland Hopia.
But despite the strong sales of tikoy, businesses admitted that 2021 will still not be able to meet last year’s revenue. The Chinese New Year took place in 2020 before the government imposed quarantine restrictions.
“Talagang kumonti ang taong dumadaan ng Binondo to buy pasalubong. Meron din naman tayo nagbebenta online, which also helps a bit, pero iba ‘yung physically nandiyan ‘yung tao,” said Gerik Chua, operations manager of Eng Bee Tin.
The Manila LGU had earlier ordered the cancellation of all celebrations for the Chinese New Year, including dragon dances, parades, shows due to the pandemic.