12 Strange Filipino New Year Traditions That Will Surprise You

Filipino New Year celebrations are known for their vibrance, optimism, and unique customs. But beyond the familiar practices lie a few strange and quirky traditions that make the Filipino New Year truly unforgettable. Here are 12 fascinating ones:

1. Jumping for Height
Children are encouraged to jump as high as they can when the clock strikes midnight. The belief? It’ll make them grow taller. While there’s no science to back this, many kids give it their best jump year after year.

2. Wearing Polka Dots
Polka dots are a New Year’s Eve fashion staple in the Philippines. The round patterns represent coins, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Even accessories and home decor often get the polka-dot treatment.

3. Banging Pots and Pans
To drive away evil spirits, Filipinos make noise by banging pots and pans. It’s an easy way to contribute to the festivities while ensuring no bad vibes linger into the New Year.

4. Carrying Cash All Day
On New Year’s Day, many people make it a point to carry money in their wallets and pockets. The goal is to ensure financial blessings throughout the year. Forgetting your wallet on this day is considered unlucky.

5. Avoiding Debt
Filipinos believe that entering the New Year with unpaid debts will result in financial struggles for the entire year. As a result, many scramble to settle their accounts before December 31.

6. Throwing Coins at Midnight
Some families throw coins around the house as the New Year begins. The coins symbolize wealth, and scattering them is believed to spread prosperity throughout the household.

7. No Sweeping on New Year’s Day
Sweeping on January 1 is avoided at all costs. The act is believed to “sweep away” good luck. Households typically finish their cleaning the day before and leave their brooms untouched on New Year’s Day.

8. Opening All Doors and Windows
As midnight approaches, many Filipinos open all the doors and windows in their homes. This gesture is believed to let good luck flow in and circulate freely throughout the house.

9. Leaping Over Chairs
Some individuals, particularly the more daring ones, leap over chairs or tables. It’s thought to be another way to invite good fortune and overcome obstacles in the coming year.

10. Keeping the Lights On All Night
Turning off the lights on New Year’s Eve is considered unlucky. A well-lit home symbolizes brightness and positivity for the year ahead. Many households keep every light on until morning.

11. Shouting at Midnight
In addition to fireworks and noise-making tools, Filipinos often shout loudly as the New Year begins. This is meant to scare away lingering negative energies or malevolent spirits.

12. Eating Sticky Desserts
To ensure strong family bonds in the coming year, Filipinos serve sticky rice cakes like bibingka or kakanin. The stickiness is symbolic of keeping relationships close and unbreakable.

Embracing the Uniqueness of Filipino Traditions
These traditions may seem unusual, but they all reflect the deep-rooted hope, creativity, and resilience of Filipino culture. From making noise to attract blessings to eating sticky treats for familial harmony, every strange custom has its charm and purpose. These quirks make the Filipino New Year celebration not just festive but also uniquely memorable.