HOW FILIPINO FAMILIES CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE
by Dana Tagorda
When I was in a young age I noticed a lot of things that my family do every time it’s New Year’s Eve, We’re not doing it because of Religious belief, we just do it traditionally because most of the people do it every new years eve without me knowing the meaning of each activity. My Mom buys a lot of round fruits sometimes even fruits that is not a round shape such as apples, mangoes and etc. Spreads coins around the house, and we usually wear polka dotted dress. The things we do every time new years eve is near is we usually go all out with the noise using paputok (firecrackers) which come in so many shapes and go by very interesting names such as Judas belt (a string of firecrackers), Super lolo (“grandfather”), Kwitis (from the Spanish word cohetes meaning rocket) and etc. We really enjoy making noise with the use of different things also such as “Torortot (horn pipe), Drums and etc. I’m so excited every time we do it especially every time I will see fireworks display after the countdown to New Year. Then now I’m 22 I read an article in how we got our New Year tradition.
FILIPINO FOOD ON NEW YEAR’S EVE
Special food is prepared, but not as lavish as the Noche Buena feast on Christmas Eve, although some families might be wealthy enough to prepare another lechon(roasted pig) after serving one on Christmas.
For sure, pancit (noodles) are cooked to signify long life, as are eggs signifying new life. Traditional delicacies made from malagkit (glutinous or sticky rice) like biko are prepared — that’s so good fortune will stick around throughout the year. Fish and chicken are not served because these animals scrounge for food, and we don’t want to have to scrounge for food in the coming year.
Part of the fun in getting ready for New Year’s Eve is to come up with twelve (12) round fruits, each to signify a month of the year.
NOISIEST TIME OF THE YEAR
The same way Americans enjoy Fourth of July fireworks, Filipinos go all out with the noise on New Year’s eve. Filipino paputok (firecrackers) come in so many shapes and go by very interesting names — judas belt (a string of firecrackers), super lolo (“grandfather”), kwitis (from the Spanish word cohetes meaning rocket), bawang (“garlic”), airwolf…
Children love scratching the dancing firecracker watusi against concrete sidewalks and cemented surfaces, although the government has been warning against it because of chemical poisoning.
Pots and pans are clanged to scare away evil spirits. A few men shoot guns in the air if they think they can get away with it. Cars and trucks are vroomed and horns are tooted to cause as much noise as possible. Empty cans are dragged all around, whistles are blown.
OTHER FILIPINO TRADITIONS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE
Before the clock strikes midnight to herald in the new year, all doors must be left wide open to allow good luck to enter. This includes cupboards, drawers, cabinets… windows!
Filipinos try to dress in polka-dots because the roundness signifies prosperity. Pockets are filled with round coins, which are jangled to attract wealth. Coins are also left on top of tables and in drawers.
At the exact moment of midnight, Filipino children jump as high as they can because they believe this will make them taller.
Whatever condition your wallet is in when the New Year arrives, so it will be the rest of the year. Make sure to put in the money your received on Christmas. The same goes for the neatness of your home.
Filipinos spend the last days of the year vigorously cleaning everything, especially of dust. However, on the first day of the new year, you are not supposed to do any cleaning. No cleaning on New Year’s Day itself!
And don’t start the year off by spending money. Frugality on the first day sets the tone for wise money management in the coming year.”
Reading the Article made me understood the reasons of things that we usually do in New Year ’s Eve. All of the things that we do sets the positivity in starting our year, But in reality it’s up to us in how we’re going to make our Fresh Start, New Beginning, and a year full of Greatness! Spending with our Family and loved ones, being thankful for another year and taking it as a good memory or a lesson is what matters.
Happy new year everyone!
