The Filipino New Year’s Common Customs, Traditions and Beliefs

The New Year’s customs and traditions change as the years go by but the essence  of the celebration remains the same. I can still remember the way my parents prepare sumptuous foods which the family will share at midnight after praying, before the New Year signals its arrival. However poor or rich people are, they really give it a blast… to have something unusual or “bonggang handaan “ which means in local  lingo as very grand celebration of the New Year. 

The difference between the statuses of life is the way they celebrated this special event. The well-to-do families throw a party or attend parties of friends, while the less fortunate celebrates New Year with just the family members around; also, the kind of foods and entertainment, will tell the difference.The common denominator between the rich and poor is the spirit of preparing something and anything to welcome the arrival of the New Year.

Some of the common New Year's practices of Filipinos are: 

• Preparation of round-shaped fruits. Others say 7 kinds while others say 12 kinds of these fruits which signify the 12 months of the year. Round-shaped fruits because these represent prosperity and bountiful harvest or opportunity. 
• Wearing polka-dot dress or clothing. The same concept as the fruits. 
• General house cleaning. This is to drive away the past misfortunes and negative vibes of the previous year.
• Buying of new things. People’s beliefs that what you have, prepare or do before the year ends will be the measuring stick of what the incoming year will provide.
• Blowing of horns, banging something or making noise, and fireworks. These are believed to be casting off of evils or bad elements.
• Children jumping when midnight strikes. This belief signifies that young people will grow taller when they jump 10 times or as many and as high as they can.
• Cooking and preparing assorted foods. Like all the above-mentioned beliefs, this one means abundance and prosperity. People believe that if you prepare much and different foods, the incoming year will give you more blessings and you will not experience hunger. 
• The undying preparation and presentation of lechon (roasted pig) as the main symbol of prosperity in the banquet or festivities

With more or less 120 Philippine languages or Filipino dialects, practices and customs vary among its group. However and whatever the variations and differences of the preparation and celebration of New Year’s are, the simple fact remains; people in one country or people around the globe celebrate New Year regardless of culture, of distance, of race, and of religious faith.

A very positive and bountiful New Year to everyone!