SIGNS WRITTEN IN CHINESE; BEING REPLACED BY ENGLISH; AND CHINATOWN SCENES.




Initials JT/V/CR/SA



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Background: IN MANILA'S CHINATOWN, SHOPKEEPERS AND RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE REMOVING ALL SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS WRITTEN IN CHINESE. THIS FOLLOWS THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT'S BAN ON THE USE OF CHINESE CHARACTERS BY RESTAURANTS AND STORES IN THE CITY.

THE CHINESE BUSINESSMEN HAVE BEEN GIVEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 1 TO CHANGE THEIR SIGNS INTO EITHER ENGLISH, SPANISH OR FILIPINO. THE BAN EXTENDS TO EVEN RECEIPTS. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE SIGNS AT CHEMIST SHOPS OR CLINICS.

THE NEW FILIPINO GOVERNMENT, UNDER PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS, HAS VOWED TO GIVE MANILA A MORE NATIONAL FLAVOUR AND INTEGRATE CHINATOWN INTO THE REST OF THE CITY.

THERE ARE ABOUT 150,000 OFFICIALLY REGISTERED CHINESE IN THE PHILIPPINES. MANY OF THE FAMILIES HAVE BEEN THERE FOR GENERATIONS, PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMY.