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Monday, December 31, 2012

Common New Year Beliefs

We Filipinos are accustomed to different "pamahiin" or elderly beliefs, be it our own or adapted from our neighboring nations, or the influence of other countries, especially those who colonized us before.  An occasion like the New Year, isn't exempted even in my family.  Although we don't really talk about it that much, we respect each others belief as long as no one gets to any trouble believing it, it's fine with us.  Well, I'll be sharing with you some of it.

Taking a bath.  Yup, there are just people too lazy of taking even a short shower during the cooler months.  But not this day my friend,  wash away your misfortunes along with all your dirt so you'll have a clean start in the first day of the year and leave all your bad lucks in the past year.  But if you still think that nothing had change, look again, at least now you're clean. 

Making noise.  Believed to be driving away bad spirits and unwanted aura or elements.  Even if we are a firecracker free city, there's just a lot of things that can be used around in making noise.  And you need not teach the kids how to make them.  beeeeep... tooooottt... waaaaahhh...  claaang... booogg... hahahaa... But how do we know that the spirits are affected by such noise?  Oh well, at least we have fun doing it, and no one complains this time.

Wearing polka dots.  Circles represent coins or money, and wearing them is believed to give the person good inflow of money throughout the year.  Well, in that case, I'll be wearing rectangles instead or have a shirt printed with money of huge denominations.  Who knows, it'll work.  But if it doesn't, cheer up, its not everyday you can wear your favorite polka dots shirt... the long wait is finally over.

Putting coins in your pocket.  So that it won't be empty towards the year.  Then you give them away after, by tossing the coins to the air while the kids pick them up for themselves.  The sound of the coins are also good luck, and so as sharing your blessings to them, good karma.  For that, I won't be recommending bills here, unless of course you're prepared in giving it away.  And the bills don't make any sound, unless they are in bundle.  If that happens, count me in... I'm joining the fun...

Preparing and eating sweet sticky foods. That if you have something sweet and sticky in your "media noche", good things stick along with it.  But just a friendly reminder, especially to other places were firecrackers are allowed... sticky foods, hands and firecrackers, is not a very wise combination.

Rounded fruits.  Another thing that represents money is the rounded shape fruits.  I'm not quite sure if it's the number of kinds of rounded fruits or is it okay even if you have just one or two kinds as long as you have plenty of them. Anyway, whatever the case maybe here, no one is more happier than the seller of these overpriced fruits for the New Year.


Jumping high.  They say, the higher you jump, the taller you'll get.  But genes don't lie.  Probability of 99.99% you'll get your parents height and with proper health, might be more taller than them.  But hey, while you are in midair, you'll see others a little bit shorter than you are, even for a moment.  And it's fun to jump with others, right?  Then again, I believe miracles do happen.   

A lot of people may say that there's really no logical connection in doing these beliefs to getting the wanted result.   And the only way in getting these things is by working really hard (for material wealth) and having good and balance intake of foods (for growth and health).  But, there are still mysterious things happening in these world that even science cannot explain.  And I don't mind a little belief with some hope and a lot of prayers, if it could give a person a kick start to begin his year.  More, it's quite fun looking and/or joining the kids jumping none stop and scrambling for coins and just having some silly moments, than being so prim and proper for such jolly occasion.  Happy 2013 everyone and may Yahweh bless each day according to what we need most.  

23 comments:

  1. I think most of our New Year's Filipino Beliefs were mostly Chinese inspired... I could be wrong but that's just what I think...

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  2. I guess nothing is lost in believing in this things but as in life, there's no substitute for hard work.

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    1. yes, there is nothing wrong in practicing these age old new year's traditions...

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  3. Me and my family don't believe in these kinds of traditions but it's kind of fun reading and learning the things behind the story. thanks for sharing this :)

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  4. katuwa talaga mga pinoy no? saan man sa mundo parepareho pa din mga kaugalian ginagawa pag pasko at new year! saya!

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    1. kasi nagtatalon din kami, naglaba at make sure bago lahat kobre kama, nag linis!, may rounded fruits at nagingay ang bonggang bonga! lol!

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  5. Leviticus 19 and Deuteronomy 18 are a good read, gives partly a view on how God views traditions and practices. :)

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  6. It’s a nice post, many Filipinos believe in superstitions and I am the one of them. I am the one who wearing polka dots every New Year and put the coins in my pocket.

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  7. i dont really know those things until you posts it here!! i have been in this trdition but i dont really know what seems to be the meaning!! great information for me haha xx

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  8. Filipinos are truly superstitious but there's no wrong in that. Haha though I know that jumping when the New Year strikes is not true, we still always make fun of oursevles and jump three times altogether in the belief that we'll grow taller!

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  9. I wore polka dots during the Media Niche becuase I want to continue receiving more money. Lol Happy new year, sis!

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  10. I think just believing that something positive will come out is already a good way to invite positive energy in.

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  11. Wahaha, I'm not to hearsays and beliefs. I used to do some on your list, but decided not to do it anymore when I became an adult. Last New Year celeb, I think the only thing I did was to make noise.

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  12. I don't believe in superstitions I just follow my instincts. My husband believe most of the time and we end up having conflicts.

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  13. Filipino beliefs and traditions have advantages and disadvantages. The effect of these new year beliefs is dependent on the will power of every one. But with those involve in health is no guarantee. I just stick to one positive mind set: "Sa Diyos ang awa. Sa tao ang gawa." Thus, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto." So be it!

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  14. I suppose it has to do with the symbolism of the action(s). My grandma is a superstitious one but is logical enough to be pragmatic about the beliefs. For example, she's explained to me before that having coins in the pocket isn't to ask for wealth for the coming year, but to remind one's self that it's a big factor to have piece of mind knowing one is financially secure :)

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  15. Okay lang naman ang may pamahiin kasi masarap ang pag kain pag new year dahil sa pamahiin tulad ng mga bilog bilog at tikoy.

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  16. I've never heard of the taking a bath until now. But I've done all the others mentioned because of my mom. As I grow, Never did them again.

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  17. Though I don't believe much in them, I still do almost all of them except wearing polka dots. :D

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  18. If you seek God's will then these beliefs will all be nothing. BTW, every New Years Eve, tumatalon ako, eh, bakit hindi naman ako naging six-footer.

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  19. As a true Christian, you must not follow these superstitions. Even astrology must not be practiced and followed.

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  20. I grew up jumping high on New Year's Day with my little sister, but we've recently stopped doing it unconsciously. Anyway, although I'm not really the superstitious type, there's nothing to lose with believing some pamahiin ^^

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  21. JUMPING VERY HIGH. Hahahahaha...buhay pa yung lolo ko yan lagi nyang sinasabi sa akin. Pero di ata umubra sa akin..hahahha..but anyway we adapt that belief from our ancestrals traditions celebrating NEW YEAR we need to follow that. But now all of our oldies are not around anymore, we don't follow it. Except sa kumain ng ubas ng madami pagpatak ng alas-dose.

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