Filipino New Year Traditions by Ramon T. Ayco

January 2009

(First publish in Pinoy Reporter’s Culture Column, January 2009 issue.)

Reminiscing New Year during

childhood is so happy and very refreshing for me, including those

adventurous experiences that almost broke my limbs or even loss my life

for the sake of welcoming New Year

merrily. I have experienced my face blown out by a bamboo canon while

blowing on its hole to put oxygen on it. For many times, I have also

experienced “rebentador” (the most popular local firecracker) explodes on

my hands. But I survived with all parts of my body still intact.

Filipinos literally start the year with a bang. Just a few days before

New Year, you can hear the booming and banging of

firecrackers everywhere. And there are lots of sidewalk vendors selling

different kinds of firecrackers like Super Lolo, Super Pla Pla,

Triangulo (triangularly shaped firecrackers), Bawang, Sinturon ni

Judas (Judas Belt), Jumbo Fountain, Whiste Bomb, best selling firecrackers

like Baby Rockets (Kuwitis), Luisis ,Watusi, Bulalakaw (Comets) just to name a few.

In spite of the yearly ban on firecrackers, because of a number of accidents

caused by firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that have resulted in the loss of lives, limbs and properties, still many Filipinos see lighting of firecrackers

as the traditional means to greet and celebrate the New Year.

The booming and banging of firecrackers in the New Year Eve starts fewer in

the morning then becomes many and louder like a crescendo of rain as time goes on. At the strike of 12:00 midnight, the noise becomes deafening,

church-bells rings , firecrackers rules the sky, kids gaping in awe as they see

the different firecrackers, blooming in the sky. The booming and banging

rise to a climax which includes clanging of old pots and pans, blowing jeep, car or tricycle horns, ambulance sirens for full one minute as the countdown

to New Year. Around 12:15 am, the noise stops and the air will be filled with human voice.

The fireworks and the loud noises and sounds of merrymaking are not only

meant to celebrate the coming of the New Year but are also supposed to drive away bad spirits.

Modern aerial fireworks display is now being added as a new attraction in

the country’s Christmas and New Year celebrations. This and the recent first World Pro Olympics which took place in The Esplanade at the back of SM

Mall of Asia in Pasay City from December 26 to 30, has raised fireworks to an art form.

Aside from lighting firecrackers and having firework displays, Filipinos have other beliefs and practices which are associated and believed to bring good

luck, fortune, and prosperity in the New Year.

It is believed that one could affect the luck they would have throughout

the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year.

For that reason, it has become

common to celebrate the first few

minutes of a new year with family and friends through a feast called

Media Noche. It is believe that we should put as much food on the

table so that next year you will have food all year round. Twelve round

fruits should be on the table as it is a sign of prosperity for the next

twelve months.

It is also a favorite thing to do with children, is to jump twelve times so they

will get taller next year the higher you jump the taller you grow. When I was a child, I always jump while singing so that I will grow taller and become a

good singer at the same time. Indeed, luckily I become a good singer (ehem) but unfortunately stop growing at 5’-2”. One of my friends told me

that my real height must be five feet but because of jumping (on New Year) I’ve got an additional two inches (yehey).

To get more luck throughout the year, it is also believed that you should open all the windows, doors and lights so that all the graces will come to

your home as you welcome the New Year; wear polka dots shirts or dress because it symbolize money, and it must have a deep pocket filled with

money bills and coins and jingled it at the stroke of midnight for good luck; and some people pay off their debts in the hope that they will not be saddled

with debt throughout the year.

The tradition of making New Year resolutions has also become a widespread practice in the Philippines. Filipinos vow to kick off old habits, like smoking,

drinking and gambling. But after a few weeks, they are back to their vices.

I was a heavy smoker for a long time and I’ve made stop smoking as a New Year resolution for many times, but many times I have also failed. At last, I

think it was in 1986, that I have been successful in quitting smoking all

because I almost got a peptic ulcer. Now I’m already a proud non smoker.

Lately, I was diagnosed as having hypertension. So surely, my New Year resolution this coming New Year will be not to eat too much pork and beef

and all foods full of cholesterols as well, and also not to take too much alcohol.

-o0o-