Though I don’t believe in superstitions, my parents still adopt some of the old beliefs and practices passed on to them by my grandparents. And because of this reason, I seldom have a choice but to obey what they say. They keep telling me that I won't lose anything if just followed, so I did those silly things associated with welcoming the new year.

Most Filipinos are superstitious, and superstitions about the New Year's Eve are particularly entrenched in our culture. The following are some of the interesting Filipino superstitions or folk beliefs pertaining to New Year’s Eve. Folks believe that you should follow these beliefs or else you'll have bad luck next year. The website www.tagaloglang.com. has a list of Filipino superstitions that are still practiced by many Filipinos.

Make as much noise as you can to scare away evil spirits.

• It is a Chinese belief adopted by the Filipinos that loud noise scares away evil. This is the main reason why we use firecrackers on New Year's Eve.

Turn on all the lights so that the coming year is bright.

• Starting 9pm, people should open all the lights in their house including the lights in the bathroom, kitchen, terrace, and other rooms in the house. Many believe that this will make the coming year brilliant.

Open all doors, windows, cabinets and drawers to let good fortune in.

• It is a common belief that is still practiced in our home. My parents believe that it will let blessings and good luck in. So during New Year’s Eve, all doors and windows in our house are open including in the terrace.

 Debts must be paid off. Fill your wallet with fresh peso bills.

• Filipinos believe that whatever your financial state is in at the stroke of midnight, it will be the same for the new year.

Clean everything.

• This is another common belief wherein many Filipinos do general cleaning to their houses before New Year’s Eve and make sure not a single speck of dust is left so that your next year will be nice and clean.  alternatively, some believe that you should not sweep the floor duing New Year's eve because you might sweep away the good fortune that comes in on New Year's Eve.

Wear polka-dots. Anything round signifies prosperity.

• When I was a child, wearing polka-dots is one thing I do during New Year’s Eve. My father said that if I am going to wear polka-dots, I will have lots of money the coming year. Round shapes signifies prosperity in life. The same reasoning applies why Filipinos also prepare 12 round fruits, one for each month of the coming New Year.

Scatter coins around the house, on tabletops.... inside drawers...

• During New Year’s Eve, Filipinos make sure that coins are scattered around the house. Some families put coins in doors, windows, and their pockets in the belief that they will not run out of money the next year. Others put rice or other grain on their tables in the belief that they would have a year-round supply of rice the coming year.

Eat a native delicacy made from sticky rice to make good fortune stick in the New Year.

• At Media Noche, rice cakes are always present in the belief that the coming year will bring closeness to the family, also in the belief that good luck will stick to them.  Kalamay and biko are some of the sticky rice cakes that are prepared by families.

Eat long noodles (pansit) for long life.

• As with the Chinese belief, eating noodles will make your life longer since noodles represent long life and good health; they must not be cut short so as not to corrupt the symbolism.

Jump twelve times at midnight to increase your height.

• This is one of the most famous superstitions since I was a child. Though not scientifically proven, you won't lose anything if you try.

Don't spend money at all.

• It is believed that thriftiness on the first day of the year will influence your money management for the coming year.

For many, following these beliefs will bring good luck in the coming year. However, your decisions are what shape your destiny. Whether you believe or not in these superstitions, it is more important to have a positive outlook for the coming year. 

Happy New Year, everyone!