The Advent of the New Year
by Rudy Arizala
We celebrate the New Year with religious fervor, joy and certain customs, myths and beliefs. In Infanta, during our youth, we attended Mass on New Year’s eve. We serenaded our neighbors, relatives and friends. But mostly, we made noise by banging on empty kerosene cans with a piece of wooden sticks and shouting, “Mabuhay si Amang Berto at si Inang Hule!” while firecrackers and gun fires exploded all around. Filipinos believe that if we make noise, we drive away evil spirits. And if we are happy on New Year’s day, we shall be happy throughout the New Year.
In those days, the noise barrage started at past midnight and lasted up to 5 a.m. Those serenaded with songs and noise barrage gave the serenaders or “noise-makers” pieces of bread wrapped in newspapers. The empty kerosene cans, aside from being used as instruments for making noise, also served as containers for the gifts of bread or napamaskuhan.
Young men and women held parties on New Year’s eve at the elementary school building or tennis court, but at the stroke of 12 midnight, they stopped dancing, went to church and heard Mass still wearing their party attires. After Mass, they partook of foods and drinks in their homes or in the homes of relatives or friends. The next morning everybody woke up late except the children who woke up early, ate breakfast and played or exploded leftover firecrackers.
Every New Year, everybody makes his or her respective New Year’s resolution or promise to do better than the preceding year. When we were in the grade school, our teacher asked each one of us: “What is your New Year’s resolution?” Some would answer: “To study hard.” Others would say: “To be obedient to our parents and teachers,” “To be good to my brothers and sisters,” or “To follow God’s commandments.” In other words, New Year’s resolutions consisted of promises to do good to others, to improve oneself and to serve God and fellow men.
As we grew older and had our respective professions or vocations, we still made plans or resolutions every New Year. We often failed to realize our plans or dreams. However, making New Year’s resolutions has a useful purpose or salutary effect: It generates in each one of us new hope, a feeling of rejuvenation or new courage and perspective in life.
Every New Year, even if we no longer make noise barrage with empty kerosene cans nor serenade our neighbors, friends and relatives, let us take stock of ourselves, look back and find out where we failed or made mistakes. Let’s gather enough courage to change for the better and find solutions to our problems. By so doing, we shall attain success. Remember the Tagalog saying: Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, ay di makasasapit sa paruruonan.
Let us bow our heads in silent prayer and wish each other: “A Happy New Year!”
“Manigong Bagong Taon sa lahat!”