As one chapter is about to end, a new story begins. Memories are kept, and new experiences await. As they say, time flies too fast, and we often don’t even notice or realize that it has ended.
Here we are now, just having celebrated the New Year a few days ago, experiencing the joy of welcoming a new journey, a new beginning, and the hope that comes with making resolutions.
New Year is a special festive occasion that is universally celebrated and eagerly awaited by many. It is one of the most wonderful days for people around the world.
The way people celebrate New Year varies by culture, with traditions such as fireworks, countdowns, and family gatherings, depending on how they choose to mark the occasion.
In the Philippines, since Filipinos are often a blend of traditional beliefs and superstitions, they still observe practices that they believe will bring blessings and good fortune. As the New Year approaches, Filipinos start to clean their homes as part of their traditional practices.
They believe that if they don’t clean their house before the New Year, the mess and disorganization will persist throughout the year. Many Filipinos also avoid cleaning on January 1, as they believe it might sweep away good luck.
Another New Year tradition among Filipinos is the preparation of sweet or sticky foods like Biko or Suman, as these are believed to strengthen family bonds and bring harmonious relationships.
For our New Year celebration, we prepared a chiffon cake, Biko, lechon belly, gulaman, and fruits like apples, pears, lemons, grapes, and oranges.
Another practice is preparing round fruits, which symbolize prosperity and abundance. These are placed in a bowl on the dining table and left there for 12 days to bring prosperity throughout the year.
Filipinos also wear dotted clothes that align with the theme colors of the year. At exactly midnight, they make noise with their vehicles, which is believed to drive away spirits.
As for the fireworks, Filipinos organize displays to welcome the New Year with excitement. Overall, the New Year in the Philippines is a big and wonderful celebration, filled with fun and enjoyment.