Welcome 2012

KABOOM!!!

PLAK!!! PLAK!!!

BOOOG!!!

Very sounding that annoys who ever people can hear this?

These melodic noises can be heard on the streets especially when the year move forward as the Filipinos anticipates it in their own traditional way.

These defying sounds are produced by different firecrackers to which believe to be an extuingisher of bad spirits as the Filipino inherit this on the Chinese practice.

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”) and pla-pla (a triangular-shaped mini bomb).

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. New year’s spirit is really alive even to the children.

Firecrackers are not the only one who create the clamors. Even the 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.

most used firecrackers by Filipinos

Welcome to the noisiest time in the Philippines; the NEW YEAR’S EVE.

Lots of gimmicks were to be applied in this celebration.

There were concerts, fireworks display and parties to be conducted before the 12 ‘o’clock hits. And the exciting countdowns were to be anticipated.

For the assorted menu on the Media Noche where family will dine together, special foods are 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.

Biko

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.

Filipinos believes on the luck as the year change. Many customs were to be practiced during the New Year ’s Eve.

Circle-shaped fruits means LUCK

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. Try it!!!

And that’s how Filipino celebrates the new year’s eve…

Kiong Hee Huat Sai everybody!

HAPPY 2012!!!!!!!!!!!