Countdowns here, there and everywhere! Celebrations here, there and everywhere! Fireworks here, there and everywhere! May it be here in the Philippines or abroad, everyone eagerly and patiently waited for the New Year to come. The start of the year brings new hopes, new dreams and new life resolutions.

There are three things that I have observed to be ever-present every new year; that is, countdowns, celebrations, and fireworks. Countdowns bring the level of anticipation far above us. Counting down 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 tells us two things: saying “good-bye!” to the year we loved and hated and saying “bring it on!” to the year we will love and hate. Celebrations bring families together. “Medya-Noche”, as what it is called here in the Philippines, is the time when families gather around the dining table to feast on the preparations made by the family members themselves. Fireworks in the night sky are what excite most of the people. The noise of the colourful fireworks is believed to drive “bad vibes” of the past year away. New Year without fireworks is UNUSUAL in the Philippines (except in Davao). Filipinos are willing to spend in buying anything that will make noise as they welcome the new year. The smile on their faces as they use those BOOMING fireworks & BLARING horns will really make one forget about the noises they make.

Combining the three things, three words becomes the highlight of a New Year; that is, anticipation, togetherness, and happiness. This is what the New Year is all about; being happy while together with your family, anticipating for a good year to come. What joy it is to see, even just in television, that every Filipino never loses hope in life. They always believe that God will always provide their everyday needs, and that their dreams will one day come true.

Labels: celebration, countdowns, fireworks, New Year