Filipino New Year - The World's Loudest Celebration

Filipino New Year is LOUD

The Filipino New Year celebration is said to be one of the loudest in the world.

Fireworks, firecrackers, car horns, banging pots... it's incredibly festive!

New Year Vocabulary

English	Tagalog
New Year	Bagong Taon
New Year's Eve	Bisperas ng Bagong Taon
Fireworks	paputok
Firecrackers	rebentador
Midnight feast	Media Noche
Good luck	suwerte
Round	bilog

New Year Greetings

Tagalog	English
Manigong Bagong Taon!	Prosperous New Year!
Happy New Year!	(English is commonly used)
Maligayang Bagong Taon!	Happy New Year!
Prosperous New Year!	Prosperous New Year!

New Year Traditions

1. Make Noise

To drive away evil spirits, everyone makes as much noise as possible.

• Fireworks (paputok)
• Firecrackers (rebentador)
• Car horns
• Banging pots and pans
• Shouting

2. Round Objects

Round shape = Coins = Prosperity

12 Round Fruits

Filipinos display 12 round fruits on the table.

Common Choices
Oranges
Apples
Grapes
Melon
Watermelon
Mango
Papaya
Pineapple
Banana
Rambutan
Longan
Pomelo

3. Polka Dot Clothing

Round patterns = Prosperity, so people wear polka dot clothes.

4. Jumping at Midnight

Jumping at midnight makes you taller - a popular superstition.

Kids jump at exactly 12:00 AM!

5. Open Windows and Doors

Open windows and doors to let the old year out and welcome the new year in.

Media Noche

Media Noche is the feast eaten at midnight.

Traditional Foods:

Food	Significance
Pancit	Long noodles for long life
Lumpia	Spring rolls
Lechon	Roast pig
Fruit salad	Sweet fruit mix
Spaghetti	Filipino sweet spaghetti
Ham	Holiday ham
Queso de Bola	Red wax cheese

Lucky Foods:

• Long noodles - Long life
• Round foods - Prosperity
• Sweet foods - Sweet life

Sample Conversation

Preparing for New Year:

A: Ready ka na ba sa New Year? (Are you ready for New Year?)

B: Oo! May paputok na kami at prutas. (Yes! We have fireworks and fruits ready.)

A: Ilang prutas ang binili mo? (How many kinds of fruit did you buy?)

B: Dose! Para sa suwerte. (Twelve! For good luck.)

A: Nice! Tara, countdown na mamaya! (Nice! Let's do the countdown later!)

New Year Countdown

Sampu... (10)
Siyam... (9)
Walo... (8)
Pito... (7)
Anim... (6)
Lima... (5)
Apat... (4)
Tatlo... (3)
Dalawa... (2)
Isa... (1)
MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!!!

Fireworks and Safety

Filipino fireworks can be quite dangerous.

Many people get injured every year.

Recent Trends:

• Government has increased fireworks regulations
• "Community fireworks displays" encouraged
• Safety awareness campaigns

January 1st Activities

New Year's Day:

• Spend time with family
• Eat leftovers
• Rest and relax
• Some attend church

Superstitions:

• Pay off debts (don't carry debt into new year)
• Don't sweep (don't sweep away luck)
• Don't spend money (don't let money leave)

Filipino vs Japanese New Year

	Philippines	Japan
Atmosphere	Loud & festive	Quiet & peaceful
Sounds	Fireworks	Temple bells
Food	Media Noche	Osechi
Clothes	Polka dots	Kimono/casual
Activities	Parties	Shrine visits

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