Expat’s Guide on How Filipinos Celebrate New Year
Before welcoming the coming year, Filipinos are in the rush to go to markets, malls or groceries, to shop for exciting finds needed to make the New Year something to look forward to. We have listed things that Filipinos do during the New Year:
Twelve round shaped fruits
This practice has been observed by a number of Filipino families for the past years. They buy twelve round shaped fruits, believing that these fruits will give luck, wealth, and good health for the upcoming year. Some of the fruits that are usually included are apples, oranges, chico, grapes, and locally grown dragon fruits.
Putting of coins in pockets while jumping during the first hour of New Year
IMAGE My Refuge House
This practice has been observed by Filipino adults and children. It is believed that keeping coins in your pockets while jumping during the first hour of the New year will bring prosperity and luck for the year ahead. Aside from that, they will also be blessed with a so-called“increase in height” for the entity of the New year.
Coming together and feasting on Media Noche
During the New Year, families come together and bring food to share for their loved ones. This is the time when they celebrate the Media Noche or a midnight feast where a lot of mouth-watering dishes are prepared as a sign of a grand welcome for the new year ahead.
Lighting up of fireworks in the streets
IMAGE Guiness World Records
With the arrival of a new year, Filipino families usually buy bundles of fireworks that they light up during the eve of last day of December. These fireworks are seen as instruments in showing how excited they are for the coming of another good year. Aside from that, these fireworks are also believed to be ways on including the departed loved ones in welcoming another year full of happiness, love, and success.
Are there other practices Filipinos do during the New Year? Share your thoughts with us below!
Also Read: 12 New Year’s Traditions and Superstitions in the Philippines
Written By: Patricia Antoinette M. Nacianceno
Image Source: USA- China Daily, My Refuge House, Born a dragon, Guiness World Records
