Young stars of ‘Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune’ talk about their Chinese traditions, practices

Image: Regal Entertainment, Inc. and GMA Network

“Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune” is the much-awaited primetime drama series to be aired on GMA Network in 2022. This is one of the biggest things to ever happen in the history of GMA Network because it is about bringing to free television one of the greatest film series in Philippine movie history by Regal Entertainment, Inc., to the screens of every household of every Filipino family at home.

Deeply rooted, historically accurate and purely based on many Chinese traditions, beliefs and principles that have become very familiar to many Filipinos, the “Mano Po” film series helped significantly raise more awareness, impart vast information, and remind people of the long history of the Chinese influence we have in the country. Indeed, Chinese traditions in the Philippines are so alive in every generation that has succeeded the very first Chinese immigrants that arrived here. In fact, even the young ones (Barbie Forteza, Casie Banks, Darwin Uy, Rob Gomez, Nikki Co and Darwin Yu) who are part of this all-star cast ensemble of “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune” are not only very well aware of many Chinese traditions but also follow many of them in their own homes.

During the digicon for “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune,” I was able to ask most of the young cast members (Barbie Forteza, Casie Banks, Darwin Uy, Rob Gomez, Nikki Co and Darwin Yu) one question.

My question was, “What Chinese traditions and beliefs do you follow in your own homes?” Here are their answers:

Barbie Forteza: Well, we do not have Chinese blood. However, we participate in their practices. Like in the sala, we have Chinese coins and dragon statues to welcome good luck. Even for us in the family, we also believe in the positive aura and energy that these symbols attract.

Casie Banks: I don’t have Chinese blood. Well, I am Canadian-Filipino now. But the twist to my character “Jade Lee” here (in “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune”) is that she grew up in London. She’s a modernized Chinoy already. And what I personally can bring to the table is that I spent a few years abroad. With my background… actually, in “Mano Po Legacy…,” we are trying to portray the modern Chinoy already. There, that is what became the twist in “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune” as we are actually trying to portray the modern Chinoy. In regards to the Chinese celebrations? I love celebrations and I have so many Chinese friends. They always invite me. And of course, since we were children, we are given the ampaos. Unknowingly, they represent Chinese traditions that we carry throughout our lives. I love Chinese traditions.

Dustin Uy: I really come from a Chinese-Filipino family. And until now, there are some Chinese traditions that we still follow. For example, we play dice games at every Moon Cake Festival. Chinese New Year. These are traditions we still follow. And for me, the tradition I really follow is the mentality of not giving up easily. In my family, we are reminded to not give up easily in life. That whatever we want to do, do it. But be humble, too. So there are some strong personality traits that I have to carry by entering show business.

Rob Gomez: I personally come from a half-Chinese family. So, all of the traditions, we follow. My Chinese side is very traditional. As they have mentioned… the ampao, from Casie. And like Darwin, as a kid, we used to play dice game. The Lion Head dance, we celebrate that. And the Chinese New Year, too. We celebrate the Chinese New Year. So, the “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune” series is very close to my heart and I am really glad and grateful I am here.

Nikki Co: I am 75% Chinese. So, everything they have mentioned, we have been doing. But we don’t have coins in the house. The displays, we don’t have. The dice game and ampao we still follow, even though nowadays, it is not really done. Actually, all events, birthdays, Christmas, and other events, we do follow the traditions there. And there is always ampao present. There were also times I have tried going to a Buddhist temple here, the food is fake meat. However, they are made of vegetables. I have tried them before. But I have never been to China.

Darwin Yu: Actually, we are the same with Nikki being that we are both 75% Chinese. So, everything he has said is the same as mine. I might just want to add the arrangements [in] our house. For example, The bed can’t be in front of the mirror. Stuff like that. There are some events that we go to like birthdays. For example, we can’t wear black. But we wear red instead.

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