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...

Happy 2014

Wishing y'all a prosperous new year! And for my Filipino friends - Manigong Bagong Taon (Tagalog), Naimbag nga baro na taw-en (Ilokano), Masagana ya balon taon (Pangasinan)!

If you like our fireplace decor, we'll be posting the #diy project soon. Stay tuned. For now, enjoy the new year. Cheers!

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..."

Snowflakes Hurricane Candle Holder Design Idea

We are hosting our first New Year's party in our new house and I'm in a DIY-ing mode to come up with a unique, new year-ish centerpiece for our humble dining table. I came up with a design that incorporates my love for snowflakes, which is simple yet attractive. Best of all, it is people-approved! Initial design variations were initially posted for critiquing and tons of thumbs ups were given to final design. So, here I am sharing the goodie in case you're in the same party boat as we.

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!