Pinoy Aralin, Kultura, Tradisyon, Paniniwala, atbp.: Why some Filipinos celebrate the Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year celebration is mostly all about prosperity, good fortune, and happiness in life; thus, many Filipinos would love to celebrate and follow those Chinese traditions just hoping it could attract wealth, prosperity, good health and peace to their lives.

For many years, Chinese presence here in the Philippines has been well-established that almost anything Chinese has seemingly rubbed off on Filipinos – from food and business practices to certain beliefs that have much to do with New Year welcome preparations.

I got a compilation from a friend a few of simple-to-follow tips on how to brush off the bad luck of the past and usher in a more prosperous new year. I used to have this tips because I do believe in some of the Chinese New Year traditions and I want to try it for myself for our home.

Although feng shui follows the Chinese new year, it wouldn’t hurt to follow some of these helpful hints for the traditional Filipino new year celebrated every Jan. 1. If you haven't done it last January 1, chances you could do it this coming Chinese New Year, January 26, 2009.

Things to do before the New Year’s Eve; you should:

• Clean the entire house to get rid of any ill-fortune associated with the past year and make room for incoming good luck.

• Put away all brooms and brushes.

• Pay all your debts.

• Resolve differences with relatives, family members, friends, business associates.

• Prepare meals for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

• Decorate your house with plastic firecrackers to frighten away evil spirits and the bad luck they might bring.

• Decorate your home with live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth.

• Display oranges and tangerines to symbolize abundant happiness and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit to start the new year sweetly.

Things to do on the eve of the New Year; you should:

• Get together with family for a meal and family activities.

• Pay respects to your ancestors.

• Set off firecrackers at midnight to send out the old year and welcome the New Year.

• Open every door and window at midnight to let go of the old year.

Things to do on the New Year’s Day; you should:

• Be careful with your words, deeds, what you eat and whom you greet because the events that occur on New Year’s Day may have an impact on the rest of the year.

• Don’t wash your hair or you will wash away any good luck for the New Year.

• Wear brand new clothes.

• Wear the color red for joy and happiness.

• Don’t wear white or black as they are colors of mourning.

• Greet your relatives, neighbors, and friends and wish them well.

• Don’t greet people in mourning.

• Give red envelopes with lucky money to children and unmarried people.

• Don’t sweep the floor or clean or you may sweep away your luck.

• Don’t say the number “four” (which sounds like the Chinese word for death).

• Don’t mention death or tell ghost stories.

• Don’t cook.

• Don’t use knives or scissors or you may cut off fortune.

• Don’t lend money or you will be lending all year.

• Don’t borrow money.

So If ever you find yourself anywhere in the Philippines and you hear fireworks blasting away between January 21st and February 19th, don't panic about war possibly erupting, it’s just the Filipino-Chinese and the Filipino residents eagerly celebrating the Chinese New Year; instead, greet the people around you as "KUNG HEI FAT CHOI!" meaning, "Happy New Year, everyone!!!"