New Year's Eve in the Philippines

New Year's Eve in the Philippines

Bisperas ng Bagong Taon ("New Year’s Eve") is a festive time in the Philippines. There are a lot of traditions that Filipinos follow in the belief of ushering in a prosperous New Year. Many of these customs you may recognize as showing a Chinese influence.

FILIPINO FOOD ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

Special food is prepared, but not like 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. Ideally, there should be twelve different fruits — grapes, oranges, clementines, cantaloupe, pomelo, watermelon… It’s a tough challenge, so half the fruits likely end up being non-circular like mangoes and apples. The fruit that Filipinos most associate with the celebration of the new year and will rarely be without is imported ubas, purple grapes that are very round.

THE NOISIEST TIME OF THE YEAR IN THE PHILIPPINES

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 thefirst 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.

Manigong Bagong Taon! Happy New Year!

The 12 Days of Christmas -=- Did you know?

The 12 Days of Christmas -=- Did you know?

 

 

 Some early traditions hold that this song was used as a teaching tool to instruct young people of various denominations in the Christian faith. Even without the symbolism, the song is a playful piece that loses none of its appeal when taken at face value.

1. A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The partridge in the pear tree is Jesus on the cross. The bird imagery can also be seen as symbolic of Christ’s teaching “as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings” (Luke 13:34)

2. Two turtle doves

The two turtle doves represent the Old Testament and the New Testament.

3. Three French Hens

The three French hens symbolize the three members of the Godfather: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Alternatively, they represent the three virtues; faith, hope, and charity (1 Corinthians 13:13)

4. Four Colly Birds

The four “colly” is an old word for “black” stand for the four Evangelist – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – or the four Gospels they wrote.

5. Five Golden Ring

The five gold rings correspond to the first five books of the Bible, sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch.

6. Six Geese A-Laying

The six geese a-laying refer to the six days of Creation (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 20:11)

7. Seven Swans A-Swimming

The seven swan a-swimming suggest the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8), alternatively seven swans represent the seven sacraments recognized by some faith traditions.

8. Eight Maids A-Milking

The eight maids a-milking signify the eight Beatitudes from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10).

9. Nine Ladies Dancing

The nine ladies dancing embody the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

10. Ten Lords A-Leaping

The ten lords a-leaping denote Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17).

11. Eleven Pipers piping

The eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful Apostles (Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:26).

12. Twelve Drummers Drumming

The twelve drummers drumming are the doctrines in the Apostles’ Creed (namely: 1. belief in the Father, 2. Belief in the Son, 3. the virgin birth, 4. the atonement, 5. his ministry after death, 6. his ascension to Heaven, 7. his role as judge, 8. belief in the Holy Ghost, 9. belief in the church, 10. forgiveness of sins, 11. the resurrection, 12. and eternal life.