Dec 31 2008
The Season with a Big Bang
This is my second New Year away from home. This is my second New Year that I celebrated by just reliving the many New Years I had with my family in my memory. And this is my second New Year that the familiar noise and happy celebration that I was used to was celebrated only in my mind.
New Year is always a happy occasion in the Philippines. It is celebrated on the 31st of December [which is New Year’s Eve] till passed midnight [which is already January 1st]. It is always celebrated with a big bang, literally and figuratively. New Year will never be complete without 3 important things… family… food… and fireworks. And New Year will always be a noisy, rowdy and dangerous to some extent due to accidents and mishaps associated with fireworks.
New Year in the Philippines is always bright. Houses are well-lit either from the Christmas lights decorations which are usually still intact till the first week of January or the bright lights created by the different fireworks that can be bought almost everywhere. The night sky is always a magnificent canvas for live… dancing… flickering… and brilliant showcase of pyrotechnics.
New Year is about making noises too. Kids of all ages are making noise from cellophane wrapped horns to earsplitting fireworks. This is the only time of the year that mommies are more lenient and tolerant of kids’ noises and messes. This is the only time of the year where kids are allowed to stay up pass their bedtime. And this is the time of the year where some superstitious beliefs [like the 12 fruits collection] are well-played and followed religiously hoping that the year ahead will be a prosperous one.
New Year in the Philippines is always one of the most awaited celebrations by family and loved ones because this is the time fo the year that family members try their best to be together and make it sure that they are complete. This is the time of the year where family greet the start of the year with new hope… new inspiration… new faith for the year ahead.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Additional Information:
New Year Customs in the Philippines
