Nothing can really beat the conventional way on how Filipinos celebrate the welcoming of every approaching year. For many years now in the Philippines, people celebrate the first few minutes of January with joyfulness and festivity through colorful fireworks display, clamorous firecrackers and trumpets, festive-looking polka dot clothes, distinctive rituals done in houses, and different kinds of food served in the New Year's Eve meal or Media Noche.
Filipinos were never contented with the commercialized, often watched fireworks display in the television or cable channels during New Year’s Eve. Instead, they practice the pure, unadultered, and thrilling firecracker using which can indeed drive everyone nuts with all the noise and smoke it creates. Despite the fact that the act is dangerous, Filipinos continue to use it because it is believed that the noise and smoke drives evil spirits away.
Practices which are believed to bring prosperity for the coming year are also never forgotten. Aside from wearing polka-dot clothes, Filipinos make sure that all the pockets of what they are wearing and wallets have money in them. This will ensure that one will not have empty pockets for the rest of the year. Opening all the lights, windows and doors are also part of the celebration to invite good luck in every home.
Media Noche is always the highlight of the celebration. Lechong baboy, pansit bihon, biko and other mouthwatering dishes are being served for the occasion. All of the food often symbolize prosperity and are believed to bring goodness to the family in the coming year.
But with all the ecstatic happenings around during the New Year's Eve, Filipinos must also not forget that their safety and health should not be risked because of the traditional activities. One must highly consider that being in good condition in all aspects of his/herself while facing a new fold of time is the best way to start a year. So in preparation for the big celebration, every Pinoy must take into account some ideas that may help everyone push through the next year and welcome 2012 in a healthier and safer way!
ROCK THE NEW YEAR WITHOUT LOSING A LIMB
Nobody wanted to welcome another year of life with a lost finger or family member. There are oh-so-man ways to create noise this merry weekend in order to cast away negative entities in or outside every home.
Instead of using hazardous pyrotechnics, it is wiser to just turn on the radio and let it blare to life, or jiggle piggy banks, or play the musical instruments at home. One can also create homemade drums from water bottle containers and strike them with wooden or plastic sticks. Using trumpets and whistles can also add up to the noise this New Year.
If all of these are still not yet so "New Year" for some, they can always turn on their televisions or walk outside of the house to see a live display of colorful fireworks.
Experts also suggest to celebrate the coming year sans firecrackers, as they always do every new year. So instead of spending money on things that will just blast and leave wastes, it is so much better to spend it for food or other things which will make the event extra special.
START IT HEALTHY
It is no doubt that in every New Year's resolution, there is always one that says "I will be more considerate of my health this year". So isn't it a good start to practice the resolution right at the celebration? Since Filipinos have a strong belief that the actions you take on the first day of a year will be the same acts you will do for the rest of the twelve months, why not train immediately by serving healthier food for the Media Noche?
Not all traditional food served during the New Year's Eve meal can be good to physical condition and health. In example, lechon is often present at the dining table not just in New Year but in almost every Filipino celebration. The dish is very fatty and contains the highest amounts of fat, but many consider it the most flavorful.
But as a replacement for all the high-cholesterol food served for Media Noche, there are these healthy dishes such as vegetable salad, bowls of fruits, broiled fish with vegetable garnishings (which is also believed to bring wealth), fruit juices, and many more. Food preparation doesn't also have to be costly. It just takes creativity in cooking in order to have a practical and healthy start of the coming year.
CELEBRATE IT YOUR OWN WAY
New Year celebration can be celebrated in many different ways, not just sticking with the traditions and following what grandmothers and mothers do in the past years. Nobody wanted a celebration which is just the same as the last year. So be more innovative and artistic this coming Media Noche. But never forget that being hale and hearty is the best way to anticipate the coming year. Have a happy start of 2012 everyone!
