From the Philstar.com newspaper.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?New%20year%20Web%20Specials&p=69&type=2&sec=150&aid=200712243
Starting the New Year with a bang
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
No big event is truly celebrated in the Philippines without fireworks. And given the Chinese heritage of Filipinos, the start of the New Year is met with fireworks display to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.
Lighting the match
Filipinos know their paputok: ranging from the small watusi, rebentador, piccolo and kwitis to the medium-sized five-star, lusis, triangulo, whistle bombs, fountains and bulalakaw to the big guns like Super Lolo, Super Pla Pla, Sinturon ni Judas (which has a thousand rounds of firecrackers), and the Jumbo Fountain.
The use of fireworks dates back to 12th century China, where they used to frighten away evil spirits with loud sound (bian pao) as well as call for happiness and prosperity.
In the Philippines, people start hearing firecracker explosions at the start of the “ber” months and leading to Christmas Day. However, it’s only the week after Christmas and leading to the New Year proper that the explosions start to come fast and furious. And in the last 30 minutes of the old year, the streets begin to clear—not only as people go to celebrate the year but also to keep safe—and the smoke begins to build up.
When the clock hits 12 midnight, the Philippines is almost like a war zone with firecrackers furiously raising the stakes in bigger, brighter, and louder explosions.
Beginning of the Big Bang
The Philippines has always had a long love affair with fireworks. And when one says fireworks, one always thinks of Bulacan, the birthplace of Filipino fireworks.
Fireworks in the country were first brought to the country by Chinese merchants in their trade with their Filipino counterparts. However, the Spanish used it in the Philippines when a parish priest in Sta Maria in Bulacan in 1897 used kwitis to call parishioners to Misa de Gallo.
The aforementioned priest taught a Filipino, Valentin Sta. Ana, the manufacture, use and handling of the fireworks, and he passed this knowledge on to his children, Valerio and Fernando. In 1938, the Sta. Ana brothers opened the first fireworks factory in the country called the Santa Ana Fireworks Factory, based in Balasing, Santa Maria, Bulacan.
After the Second World War, the two brothers went their separate ways; Fernando set up Victory Fireworks, which continues to manufacture fireworks up to the present. In fact, Fernando Sta. Ana is now considered the Philippines’ Father of Modern Fireworks and Pyrotechnics.
The diffusion of the knowledge in creating fireworks spread, such that fireworks factories spread throughout Bulacan, specifically Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Baliuag, Norzagaray and Angat. Later on, the manufacture also spread to Cavite and Laguna.
In 1966, a firecracker explosion hit Meycauayan City in Bulacan that killed 26 people and forced the legalization of the growing fireworks industry. The legalization helped in the improvement of safe processing and handling of fireworks.
But in 1972, in the shadow of Martial Law, the Marcos government once more made the fireworks industry illegal for fear that these would be used in rebellious activities. This forced the manufacture and sale of fireworks underground.
Legalizing the business
It was only after Congress passed Republic Act 7183 (the Firecrackers Law) in 1992, which regulated the sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that the industry finally came to the fore.
According to the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, Inc., there are currently 500 manufacturers of pyrotechnic products in Bulacan with most of them in the areas of Bocaue (its center of trade because of its location), Sta. Maria, Baliuag and other neighboring municipalities of the province.
It is the hope of the PPMDA that with the setting of the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board and rules and guidelines, firecracker accidents (like in Meycauyan City) would be avoided as well as the protection of the industry from smuggled imported finished fireworks, illegal manufacturers and illegal firecrackers.
Start the year right
In the end, this means safety first for Filipinos celebrating the New Year. Though accidents are still expected given fireworks are involved, questions over quality will at least be assured and hopefully, no firecracker will explode in hands unexpectedly.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Philippine New Year's Beliefs
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?New%20year%20Web%20Specials&p=69&type=2&sec=150&aid=200712244
Filipino Beliefs During the New Year
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
It is easy to take for granted that most of the Filipino New Year traditions stem from the Filipinos’ hope to have a year better than the previous one.
Whether based on Chinese beliefs, Filipino pamahiin, or plain superstition, Filipinos practice these traditions to bring them good luck and prosperity for the New Year. These include laying out coins on windowsills, wearing red or polka dots, and most especially, lighting of fireworks to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.
Whatever their source, it would seem that Filipinos will take whatever they can get to make sure the coming New Year grants them good fortune.
But what are these beliefs?
1. Ring out the old
Foremost is the use of firecrackers to celebrate the coming of the New Year, which stems from the Chinese influence in our country. The noise from the exploding firecrackers supposedly drives away the evil spirits of the previous year to make the coming year bountiful, ranging from the small watusi to the thunderous Super Lolo and Sinturon ni Judas.
However, this is not limited to the use of firecrackers. Filipino families use whatever noisemaker they have on hand—whether ringing bells, blowing on torotot, clanging on pots and pans, and even using car horns—to create the loudest clangor they can make.
2. Show me the money
Likewise, another belief that is prevalent during the countdown to the New Year is the symbolism of money: whether on you or inside your residence. People are advised to have coins and paper money in their pockets so that the next year will be prosperous. Moreover, coins should be laid out on windowsills of open windows so the luck that comes in is considered fortunate.
(Related to this, it is also advised that all windows and doors of the residences are kept open and lights are switched on so that the good graces will be able to come to your home as you welcome the New Year and freely come and go throughout the rooms).
There is also the Chinese belief that wearing polka-dotted shirts or dresses when the clock strikes midnight is considered very lucky for the whole year as the circles symbolize lots of money. Another is the idea that having 12 kinds of round fruit for the Media Noche feast is a sign of prosperity for the next twelve months. Having as much food as possible on the table also helps.
3. The straight and true path
However, welcoming the New Year is not always about the money. A number of beliefs are also about keeping or maintaining actions or deeds throughout the year.
For children, they’re advised to jump up and down at exactly when the New Year starts so they supposedly get taller for the next year. According to the belief, the higher you jump, the taller you grow.
Likewise, most people usually set resolutions for themselves for the New Year. However, there is the belief that if you’re doing a particular action when the New Year rolls around, you’ll be able to maintain it. In fact, this particular belief states that whatever you’re doing at exactly 12 o’clock midnight signifies the whole year for you.
Lastly, in reverse, most people pay off their debts before the New Year starts in the hope that they won’t be saddled with debt through the year.
4. Starting it anew
All in all, these beliefs that supposedly ensure good luck and prosperity also help Filipinos prepare for a new year by starting afresh. This means in a physical sense: getting a haircut, new shoes or clothes, and a full-larded refrigerator. But this also means in a mental sense and that whatever happens with the coming year, hopefully it will be all in a good way.
So whether you believe these beliefs and practices or not, it’s always good to start the New Year with hope.
Filipino Beliefs During the New Year
By Joseph Nacino
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
It is easy to take for granted that most of the Filipino New Year traditions stem from the Filipinos’ hope to have a year better than the previous one.
Whether based on Chinese beliefs, Filipino pamahiin, or plain superstition, Filipinos practice these traditions to bring them good luck and prosperity for the New Year. These include laying out coins on windowsills, wearing red or polka dots, and most especially, lighting of fireworks to scare away the bad spirits of the past year.
Whatever their source, it would seem that Filipinos will take whatever they can get to make sure the coming New Year grants them good fortune.
But what are these beliefs?
1. Ring out the old
Foremost is the use of firecrackers to celebrate the coming of the New Year, which stems from the Chinese influence in our country. The noise from the exploding firecrackers supposedly drives away the evil spirits of the previous year to make the coming year bountiful, ranging from the small watusi to the thunderous Super Lolo and Sinturon ni Judas.
However, this is not limited to the use of firecrackers. Filipino families use whatever noisemaker they have on hand—whether ringing bells, blowing on torotot, clanging on pots and pans, and even using car horns—to create the loudest clangor they can make.
2. Show me the money
Likewise, another belief that is prevalent during the countdown to the New Year is the symbolism of money: whether on you or inside your residence. People are advised to have coins and paper money in their pockets so that the next year will be prosperous. Moreover, coins should be laid out on windowsills of open windows so the luck that comes in is considered fortunate.
(Related to this, it is also advised that all windows and doors of the residences are kept open and lights are switched on so that the good graces will be able to come to your home as you welcome the New Year and freely come and go throughout the rooms).
There is also the Chinese belief that wearing polka-dotted shirts or dresses when the clock strikes midnight is considered very lucky for the whole year as the circles symbolize lots of money. Another is the idea that having 12 kinds of round fruit for the Media Noche feast is a sign of prosperity for the next twelve months. Having as much food as possible on the table also helps.
3. The straight and true path
However, welcoming the New Year is not always about the money. A number of beliefs are also about keeping or maintaining actions or deeds throughout the year.
For children, they’re advised to jump up and down at exactly when the New Year starts so they supposedly get taller for the next year. According to the belief, the higher you jump, the taller you grow.
Likewise, most people usually set resolutions for themselves for the New Year. However, there is the belief that if you’re doing a particular action when the New Year rolls around, you’ll be able to maintain it. In fact, this particular belief states that whatever you’re doing at exactly 12 o’clock midnight signifies the whole year for you.
Lastly, in reverse, most people pay off their debts before the New Year starts in the hope that they won’t be saddled with debt through the year.
4. Starting it anew
All in all, these beliefs that supposedly ensure good luck and prosperity also help Filipinos prepare for a new year by starting afresh. This means in a physical sense: getting a haircut, new shoes or clothes, and a full-larded refrigerator. But this also means in a mental sense and that whatever happens with the coming year, hopefully it will be all in a good way.
So whether you believe these beliefs and practices or not, it’s always good to start the New Year with hope.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merrry Christmas and a Smokey New Year!
Hey Merry Christmas! We finally made it to our first Christmas in the Philippines. The "Ber" months (September, October, November, December) were up and down. If I never hear "I'll Be Home for Christmas" again, it will be too soon. We actually had a relaxing day while the kids played with their toys. The Metro Manila area is settling down as thousands of Manilenos leave to visit relatives in the province or to take a vacation from this crazy place. Driving around actually seems more "normal".
We are now into the weeks of fireworks leading up to New Year's. Each day for the past few weeks, more and more fireworks are set off until on New Year's Eve the firework battle begins. We've been told that the area begins to look like a battlefield with smoke so thick from the fireworks and guns that are fired into the air, that visibility drops to a few hundred yards and the air quality goes from bad to unbearable. The Filippinos really no how to celebrate. We hope you have enjoyed the 2007 Edition of our Blog. 2008 should bring additional stories and adventures from the Land of Fish and Rice! (a few videos of the kids singing at their Christmas plays are available at www.youtube.com/balutcritic (info on Balut is found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut)
We are now into the weeks of fireworks leading up to New Year's. Each day for the past few weeks, more and more fireworks are set off until on New Year's Eve the firework battle begins. We've been told that the area begins to look like a battlefield with smoke so thick from the fireworks and guns that are fired into the air, that visibility drops to a few hundred yards and the air quality goes from bad to unbearable. The Filippinos really no how to celebrate. We hope you have enjoyed the 2007 Edition of our Blog. 2008 should bring additional stories and adventures from the Land of Fish and Rice! (a few videos of the kids singing at their Christmas plays are available at www.youtube.com/balutcritic (info on Balut is found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
I Love Star Trek!
If you ever watched Star Trek then you know about Spock, the emotionless Vulcan man who was Captin Kirk's trusted crew member. Well, these Filippinos, have vulcan shops all over the place. I had never heard of such a thing. What in the world is that all about?
The handy dandy Wikipedia says "Vulcanization refers to a specific curing process of rubber involving high heat and the addition of sulfur. It is a chemical process in which polymer molecules are linked to other polymer molecules by atomic bridges composed of sulfur atoms. The end result is that the springy rubber molecules become cross-linked to a greater or lesser extent. This makes the bulk material harder, much more durable and also more resistant to chemical attack. It also makes the surface of the material smoother and prevents it from sticking to metal or plastic chemical catalysts. The process is named after Vulcan, Roman god of fire."
So in other words, "We repair flat tires." I have only heard the term used in relation to Star Trek so it was funny to me to see these shops all over the place. It makes we wonder what the creators of Star Trek were thinking! Is Spock rubber man or something? The world is an amazing place.
For more interesting information on this, including the history of this process and who invented it, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcanization
Friday, December 7, 2007
Some of Favorite Views in our Everyday life
Nice lanes!
Yeah right!
We don't have time to move poles around here, we have a road to widen!
One of my favorite signs. This one is found at the entrance to St. Luke's Hospital.
It's a Wild Wild World
So we have been here for just over 4 months and it has been an unbelievable journey. Apart from our own personal adjustements, we have had about 14 Thyphoons pass by our island, 2 bomb blasts in Metro Manila (1 close enough that Christine heard it and the yelling during the aftermath), 1 earthquake and 1 coup attempt. Whatever life is in the Philippines, it is not dull! These situations only make the traffic worse too (if that is possible)! Flooding and hightened security really can slow some things down around here.
Yet the world still turns and the struggle to survive it continues. And in the midst of it all, God is still in control and orchestrates events for His purposes. What a mystery to me. How does He do it? All of these events are taking place and I consider that this is only one city in one country. Amazing to think about.
Yet the world still turns and the struggle to survive it continues. And in the midst of it all, God is still in control and orchestrates events for His purposes. What a mystery to me. How does He do it? All of these events are taking place and I consider that this is only one city in one country. Amazing to think about.
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