New Year in the Philippines: More Than A Celebration

Philippine Flag on New Year's day / Photo: Manila Bulletin

And just like that, Christmas is done and over with. If I were in the Philippines right now, I probably would be beyond giddy like a little girl who can't wait for New Year to get here - soon and quick! If you were from the Philippines, guaranteed, you would be too! Well, it's no secret that New Year in the Philippines is like the equivalent of July 4th in the intensity of fireworks and over the top celebrations. It surpasses every major holiday celebrated in the country. New Year is the biggest bang bar none. It is afterall, the "last" hurrah for the current year and the first for the incoming year!

However, it's not just all about the fireworks that makes New Year in the Philippines the most anticipated party of the year. There's more to it than meets the eye...

Christmas in the Philippines: The Things I Miss

Traditional Filipino Parol with lights / Photo source: AMS Daily

Christmas is about done in the Philippines as I write this. For us, it's today. During this time, I time travel - back into those days when I was young, in the country where I was born and raised, enjoying the days and nights with my brothers and sisters and friends leading to Christmas day.

Culture Buzz: In What Language Do You Think In Your Head?

The Thinker / Photo: WikiCommon

English is not my first language. Not a shocker there. But it is for some people who couldn't tell - and I will tell you, I've got a few many fooled without meaning to. Tap on my shoulder. "heck, got you fooled!" I can't help it. I was born and raised in Asia but I'm pretty fluent with the language and I can gab my way through a conversation without sounding soooo foreign and soooo fresh off the boat - which most "judgmental", ignorant, people think I am- just by looking at me. Tough. "Do you know English?". "Can you speak in English?" 

Right. Of course I do. Bitch.

To which I would get this "Oh wow. Your English is good!" 

I've rolled my eyes so many times, I've got the roll down to a science.

Bitch.

But you probably don't know this - but I'm telling you anyway -  that I also speak three dialects and semi-fluent with 2 other languages. I can hold 4 different conversations in 4 different languages and dialects at the same time. I have no problem keeping up and drives people nuts! Awesome right? Well, kind of.

ZimSculpt 2015 Exhibit Photos

Story to Tell by David White / Photo: MaricrisG

I had the pleasure of visiting the ZimSculpt 2015 exhibit and these are just a few of those that are on display at Daniel Stowe's Botanical Garden.

These Children Put Their Lives on the Line Each Day To Get To School

School is finally out for the school year in my city and I can't be any prouder with my child for ending her year with high honors, including an award from our U.S. President's Education Awards Program for Outstanding Academic Achievement. As a parent, it's definitely one of our proud moments. I'm blessed that my child have the passion to learn, best of all, the love to go to school. I'm equally grateful that she lives in a country that provide good schools and amenities for everyone. Not all countries in this world offers the same privilege, and kids her age in these underprivileged countries suffer the dire consequences and have to persevere each day just so that they can go to school and learn.

30 Ways To Unplug Your Way Into The Living

Doesn't it offend you when you are talking to someone and their nose is stuck on their phones and their fingers are busy doing its thing while they're "pretending" or "trying" to listen to you? These days, it's now referred to as multitasking. I admit, I'm guilty of this "crime" once too often. Though in certain social circles I belong to, this is unofficially accepted but not totally embraced by all. If any, it's more of an impending demise of a skill our society used for socializing - for we are slowly getting overrun by our addiction to Gadgetism!

America's New Addiction: Gadgetism

If you're one of those whose nose is acceptably not always implanted on the screen of their phone, imagine yourself waiting inside a restaurant to be seated. Look around. Look at the people sitting next to you or those standing with their family or friends. What do you see?

5 Most Popular Superstitions Filipinos Do To Ring In New Year

                                                                                                                                                                  BULLIT MARQUEZ/AP

In 14 hours (as I write this), Philippines will be celebrating New Year - the biggest holiday celebration the country ever do every year! To give you an idea how big of a deal this holiday is, a tongue in cheek remark from this blogger says it best:

"For those of you that love homemade fireworks displays, the kind that are sure to blow off a few fingers, the Philippines sets off an inferno every NYE. While we hoard holiday hams and champagne, Filipinos ready themselves for the fiery celebration by stocking their homes with explosives..."

Filipino Champorado - The Breakfast of Champions (Recipe)

We have a family breakfast favorite that is exclusively eaten during the Winter months. One that was also a family favorite in my house growing up in the Philippines. Champorado! Dubbed as the breakfast of champions then and might as well be! Now, our version of the traditional Filipino Champorado is quite different though. It is made up of heartier ingredients and we certainly love it hot! Best breakfast food when it's chilly outside.

Top 5 Must-Have Filipino Food To Welcome New Year

All these Holidays flying by is making my head spin. It's dizzying as a roller coaster ride with tons of loop-de-loops! But I'm happy to welcome new year with open arms (or legs even) because it's one of my favorite holidays. It's the biggest and most celebrated holidays in the Philippines and one, as a child, we totally love growing up! It's noisy, loud, alive and smokin' with firecrackers of all shapes and sizes and a day of jubilant celebration! But it's also a day filled with superstitions - especially with food!

To celebrate New Year right, the way we Filipinos do it, you should start with the right food.

Here are the top 5 Must-Have foods at Media Noche:

1. Pancit - All-time favorite. This is our traditional noodle dish. Noodles with their lengthy strings represents long life. Thus, if you have noodles and eat them on New Year, it is believed to guarantee that you will be blessed with long life for the upcoming years. Imagine the life span you'll gain every year just by eating noodles!