New Year's Eve: Filipino Customs and Traditions

The celebration of New Year’s Eve in the Philippines involves the observation of numerous and unique traditions and practices. Many of these beliefs root from Chinese influences. Traditions such as having 12 round fruits on the dining table, giving red envelopes with crisp bills, the use of loud firecrackers, and jumping at the stroke of midnight are examples of Chinese traditions Filipinos have adopted.

Food is one of the most influenced factors in celebrating this holiday. The preparation of foods such as pancit and biko are well-known. Pancit (long noodles) is believed to signify long life while traditional delicacies made from sticky rice such as biko signify good fortune, to “stick around” throughout the New Year. The eggs in the noodles signify ‘new life’. The tradition of placing twelve round fruits on the table is believed to bring good luck, for each fruit represents one month.

                New Year’s Eve is the noisiest time of the year in the Philippines. It is celebrated like the 4^th of July in the United States. Filipinos go all out to start their new year with a ‘bang’. Firecrackers and trumpets are used to create noise and smoke, a tradition to drive the “evil spirits” away. Filipinos don’t solely use these due to this belief, others want to celebrate and be happy that a new year has come.

Other practices done on New Years are done mostly to bring good fortune throughout the whole year. Coins are scattered everywhere to attract wealth, doors and windows are opened to let good fortune enter, having money in pockets are to ensure one does not have empty pockets throughout the year.

The New Year’s Eve in the Philippines is indeed a festive celebration. Celebrations like these are spent with family members and loved ones. Filipinos believe that what they do at the beginning of the year will have an effect on their lives at least until the end of the year. These beliefs and practices are examples of what enrich the Philippine culture.

 SOURCES:

http://tagaloglang.com/Filipino-Culture/Holiday-Celebrations/new-years-eve-in-the-philippines.html 

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-12/31/c_133009349.htm

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